Damian Cross?
The instant Aria Vale saw him, a dizzying rush of relief and joy surged through her.
She hadn't expected him to step in like that. And the fact that he came to their engagement party—did that mean he intended to go through with it?
Under the crystal chandelier, Damian's sharply defined features looked even more breathtaking, the soft light adding a dangerous, mysterious edge to his already god-like appearance. He looked like a sculpture carved by the gods.
Sharp brows. Deep, unreadable eyes. Perfectly shaped lips. Every detail was immaculate.
The entire hall went silent.
No wealthy young master in Meridian City could compare to him.
"Who is that…?"
"Hey, little fool. Done staring?"
Aria's dazed expression drew a deep, low chuckle from Damian.
He leaned in, his voice brushing her ear like velvet. Even without a smile, he was stunning—but when he did smile, it was like watching glaciers melt.
His teasing snapped her back to reality, though the blush on her cheeks gave away her flustered state.
And when her eyes met his—dark, fathomless, like still water—her heart skipped.
But she recovered quickly, keeping up her act. She looked at him with adoring kitten eyes and grinned.
"Big brother, what did you eat to grow up so pretty? Tell Aria! I wanna be pretty like you!"
Damian had never heard her compliment his appearance before. Clearly, he liked it—a faint glimmer lit his eyes.
"But what do you have that Aria doesn't?" she huffed. "Hmph! Now Aria's jealous!"
Before he could react, she lightly touched his Adam's apple.
Soft. Dangerous. Tempting.
A mistake.
A huge one.
That single touch was like stepping on a tiger's tail—there would be consequences.
Damian's breath hitched, his eyes darkening with heat.
Aria pouted, her candy-pink lips looking far too inviting.
Good thing he'd tasted her the night before.
Still lost in that delicious memory, he was about to reward his little fool with something sweet—
when an unwelcome voice cut in.
"Excuse me? You just ruined my dress!"
Liana Vale—soaked, exposed, humiliated.
Her attempt to ruin Aria had backfired spectacularly, and worse—cameras had captured everything.
Flushed red with fury, she snatched a shawl from a socialite to cover herself, then marched toward Damian, ready to lash out.
His back was to her, so she didn't see his face. She had no idea who he was.
To her, anyone who helped Aria was an enemy.
"Huh?" Damian turned slightly, irritation darkening his expression. Even that brief glance froze the surrounding air.
Liana inhaled sharply.
In all her years among Meridian City's elite, she had never seen a man like this.
Dominant. Cold. Effortlessly commanding.
He didn't speak, but he pulled all attention toward himself like a gravitational force.
"What 'huh'? I'm talking to you! Do you even know who I am? I'm Liana Vale, second daughter of the Vale family! Apologize nicely and maybe I'll let this slide!"
Liana, crowned with confidence, assumed everyone in Meridian City knew her as a beauty and prodigy. Even if this man was wealthy, he ought to show her respect.
"You can't bully Big Brother, Liana! I won't let you!"
Aria's patience snapped. She remembered this exact moment from her past life. Her eyes darkened.
She rushed to shield Damian, fierce protectiveness radiating from her.
Damian noticed the glint in her hand—a silver needle.
Aria remembered: at this point in her previous life, Damian hadn't yet taken over the Cross Consortium. He was still overlooked. If he offended Liana now, the Cross family would mock him relentlessly.
She wouldn't allow her man to be humiliated again.
She was ready to shut Liana up—for good.
But Damian stepped smoothly in front of her.
His voice was calm, but his words were razor-sharp.
"You want an apology from me? Are you sure you're worthy?"
Liana froze—then burst into disbelief.
"And why wouldn't I be? What, are you the host tonight? You claiming to be the CEO of Cross Consortium now?"
"Yes."
He said it plainly.
Liana laughed so hard her eyes watered.
"Did everyone hear that? This guy thinks he's the CEO!"
She knew the Cross hierarchy well. There were only three Cross sons.
Damian—the ignored "ugly" eldest.
The third son was still studying abroad.
Both had been ruled out long ago.
That left only Caleb Cross—the heir she expected to marry.
This man looked nothing like Caleb.
What a delusional joke.
Liana mocked him loudly, and several guests joined in, ridiculing Damian.
Aria's fury boiled over.
A silver needle shot from her hand like lightning—so fast no one but Damian noticed.
Liana only felt a tiny prick, like a mosquito bite. She brushed her neck, confused.
Then she shouted,
"Security! This man is impersonating the CEO of Cross Consortium! Drag him out!"
The guards stormed over—
—then saw Damian's face.
Their expressions collapsed.
THUD.
The head guard dropped to his knees.
"M-Mr. Cross! Sir! F-forgive me! I didn't recognize you!"
Mr. Cross.
Damian.
The CEO of Cross Consortium.
The hall went dead silent.