Chase sat in a corner of the Hotel's upper lounge, his mood caught somewhere between frustration and disbelief.
He'd just tried messaging Manager Zane again, hoping for some kind of explanation about Jason Carter. But the app flashed back a single, cold notification—"User has removed you."
Chase stared at the screen, his jaw tightening. Was that guy really so scared?
He frowned, muttering under his breath, "What the hell is going on with that Carter guy?"
Still irritated, he opened another chat window and texted one of his contacts—someone in the city's information network.
Chase: "Find out who Jason Carter is. Age, background, family, whatever you can dig up. Fast."
He didn't wait for a reply before straightening his jacket and heading back into the banquet hall.
Inside, laughter and music filled the air. The grand ballroom shimmered beneath the glow of chandeliers, champagne glasses clinking as the city's elite mingled like predators in expensive suits.
Across the room, Liam—the young man with the perfectly tousled undercut—watched Chase return with a faint smirk.
Liam, had known Chase for years. They'd been rivals since prep school—Chase, the slick-tongued son of the Chase Media Group chairman, and Liam, the polished prodigy of Silicon Valley's next big player.
So when Liam saw Chase slip out earlier, he had already guessed what was coming.
Chase always played dirty. He was the kind of man who'd rather trip his opponent than train harder himself.
Liam didn't interfere, though. On the contrary, he wanted to watch. If Chase tried something stupid with Jason Carter, it might be entertaining.
But seeing Chase come back now—with that sour, frustrated expression—Liam knew something had gone wrong.
"Didn't go as planned, huh?" he murmured to himself, sipping his champagne.
His curiosity was piqued. Jason Carter, from what he'd seen, didn't seem like an easy person to read. Calm, composed, and indifferent to everyone else in the room. There was something about that man that didn't fit with the rest of the spoiled young crowd here tonight.
Still, Liam wasn't content to just watch Jason and Shenna—the birthday girl's charming and radiant cousin—sit together like they were in their own little world.
He took a quiet breath, grabbed two glasses of red wine from a passing waiter, and made his move.
Jason and Shenna were seated on a velvet sofa at the edge of the ballroom, sharing a single pair of earphones connected to Jason's phone. The two of them looked out of place among the social climbers and sycophants—a simple, quiet bubble amid a sea of noise.
From afar, it was a warm picture. But to others in the room, especially Liam Ross, it looked like provocation.
He approached with a charming, calculated smile. "Mr. Carter, is it? It's a pleasure to meet you," Liam said, extending a glass toward him. His tone was polite, but his body language wasn't—he stood deliberately over them, forcing Jason to either rise or look small.
Jason didn't move. He simply turned his head slightly toward Shenna and asked, "Do you know him?"
Shenna blinked, not hearing him clearly through her earphones. "Hm? What did you say?"
Jason leaned in closer, his tone calm, unhurried. "Who is he?"
Shenna took out one earbud and leaned toward Jason to hear him better—her hair brushing lightly against his shoulder, her voice soft near his ear. "Oh… he's my dad's business partner's son. Liam Ross."
Jason smiled faintly, as if the answer had only confirmed what he already suspected.
The move had been deliberate. The question wasn't really for the answer—it was to flip the dynamic. If Liam wanted to play dominance games, Jason would make him look like a fool instead.
Their closeness didn't go unnoticed.
Liam froze mid-motion, the glass of wine still extended in his hand as he watched Shenna whisper something to Jason with their heads nearly touching. The sight made his chest tighten with a dull, sharp irritation.
What was supposed to be a power play now looked like a romantic scene straight out of a movie—and he was the awkward third wheel.
Shenna looked up then, noticing him still standing there. "Oh, Liam, right? This is Jason Carter," she said casually, her tone distant and polite. "Jason, this is Mr. Ross—my dad's partner's son."
Even a fool could hear the formality in her tone.
Jason gave a slight nod, not even bothering to take the offered wine. "Pleasure."
Liam forced a grin, masking his irritation. "Likewise."
But inside, his blood was boiling.
He'd known Shenna far longer than this Jason guy. He'd brought her rare chocolates from Paris, remembered her birthdays, attended every charity gala her family hosted. And yet, she never looked at him with that warmth.
But this stranger—this man who treated her with no special reverence, who didn't even stand up when introduced—had somehow made her lean closer, smile softer, and forget everyone else in the room.
Liam lowered the untouched glasses of wine, his smile tightening. Just who the hell are you, Jason Carter?
Liam Ross stood frozen in place, still holding the wine glass awkwardly in his hand.
Jason Carter glanced at him, his expression calm as ever, and said lightly, "I don't drink."
Liam's mouth twitched.
He couldn't offer the glass to anyone else, nor could he take it back without looking like a fool. Every rule of high-society etiquette said a gentleman must accept a toast at an event like this. That was how one showed respect.
But Jason didn't care about the rules.
What was even more infuriating was that Shenna didn't seem to mind. She didn't frown, didn't look embarrassed—if anything, she smiled as if this unbothered defiance amused her.
And then, Jason leaned in and whispered something in her ear. She giggled softly and whispered something back. Their faces were close, their voices low, and when they smiled at each other, it was like the rest of the room had vanished.
Liam's face turned bright red. The glass in his hand suddenly felt heavy. He turned and left stiffly, his pride collapsing in silence.
From across the hall, Chase saw the whole thing. His lips curved into a cold smirk. For some reason, his earlier irritation faded. Watching Liam humiliated like that was strangely satisfying.
Of course, only Jason and Shenna knew what they were whispering about.
Jason had leaned closer and murmured, "Isn't this supposed to be your grandfather's birthday? Why does it feel more like a matchmaking event?"
Shenna sighed softly. "The sons of my dad's business partners keep showing up, and I'm sure my mom's behind it. She probably hopes I'll pick one to 'strengthen family ties.'" She rolled her eyes with a helpless smile. "She's been controlling me my whole life—my studies, my social life, even who I talk to."
Jason chuckled. "Sounds familiar. My mom wasn't that extreme, but she wasn't far off. Back in high school, she warned me not to 'waste time on relationships.' Then, just last week, she said she's been saving for my future wedding."
Shenna giggled. "If she found out you spent a million saving stray cats, she'd probably lose her mind."
Jason's grin widened. "What are you talking about? Obviously, I wouldn't let her find out."
Shenna's eyes lit up in curiosity. "How do you even hide that? My credit cards are all linked to my mom's account."
The atmosphere in the ballroom was elegant, refined, and suffocating. The guests—all corporate moguls and political figures—discussed finance, real estate, and foreign trade with forced laughter.
When guys like Chase or Liam had tried to talk to Shenna earlier, they'd flaunted their connections and investments, trying to sound impressive.
None of them could've imagined that Shenna and Jason, sitting quietly in a corner, were talking about childhood rebellion and cicadas.
Jason told her about skipping class as a kid to catch cicadas, roasting bamboo worms, and stealing apples from his neighbor's orchard. His voice carried that nostalgic warmth of real freedom.
Shenna listened wide-eyed, completely captivated.
Her life had always been luxury cars, private tutors, and planned schedules. But freedom? Mischief? Rebellion? Those were things she'd only read about.
When Jason asked, "Have you ever rebelled against your parents?"
Shenna puffed up her cheeks and said indignantly, "Not entirely. I mean, I sneak stray cats into the house sometimes."
Jason laughed. "That counts, I guess. Want to do something really rebellious?"
Shenna immediately leaned away slightly, suspicious. "That depends... what are you planning?"
Jason smirked. "Like sneaking out of this dull party right now. Go hit the late-night food trucks, go-karting, escape rooms, maybe a haunted house, cat café, or ice skating rink."
With every word, Shenna's eyes sparkled brighter. By the time he was done, she was nearly bouncing in excitement.
"I want to go," she whispered eagerly, "but... all these people know my family. And my mom's watching me like a hawk. I'll get caught before I reach the door."
Jason leaned back with a lazy grin. "If you really want to go, I can get you out—no problem."
She blinked. "You? How?"
Jason just smiled and texted Olivia, who had already been discreetly coordinating with the hotel staff.
Less than a minute later, the plan went into motion.
A waiter passed by with a massive fruit platter, perfectly blocking Shenna's mother's line of sight.
At that exact moment, Jason took Shenna's hand and led her into the back kitchen.
Shenna had never seen the behind-the-scenes of a five-star hotel. The sizzle of pans, the bustle of chefs, the clang of metal trays—it all fascinated her. "You can just walk in here?" she whispered in awe.
Jason smirked. "You can, if you know the right people."
They slipped through the kitchen and entered the service elevator unnoticed. Within moments, they were descending straight to the underground parking garage.
When the elevator doors opened, a sleek black car was already waiting. The driver nodded silently, holding the door open.
Shenna looked at Jason, her heart racing with both fear and excitement. "I can't believe we're doing this."
Jason grinned. "First time for everything."
The car sped out of the parking structure, disappearing into the city lights.
Back upstairs, it didn't take long before Shenna's mother—noticed her daughter's empty seat.
Her smile froze. "Where's Shenna?" she said sharply.
And just like that, the calm of the birthday banquet shattered.
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