he sheer curtains of her modest but stylish apartment. The scent of freshly brewed cof

blankets, something she rarely indulged in. Her life didn't allow for much rest - not

t was quiet, save for the faint hum of the city outside. She poured herself a

business news, and social updates about the Russell family. Every pie

to that electric encounter at the masquerade gala and the "chance" mee

houghts more than she cared to admit. Get it together, Jasmine, she scolde

w of his penthouse, nursing a glass of bourbon despite the early hour. Th

stop thinkin

ivating woman he'd m

e felt... significant. She was intelligent, confident, and intri

st for personal reasons, but fo

echoed in his mind: M

power, alliances, and control. Hayden refused to be manipulat

e had to

o it on h

ld buy him time, shielding him from his father's relentless pressure. He

willed, and intelligent. She wouldn't be easily cont

uld sh

lan forming clearly in his mind. He wou

k dress as she arrived at the exclusive rooftop restaurant Hayd

I have a pro

up. She wasn't naive enough to believe he'd simply been thinking about

lelit terrace, where soft jazz music played in the background. The panoramic view of the

tailored charcoal suit, his dark hair styled with effortless precision

oth, warm, yet tinged with s

ering a small, guarded

ard the private table s

y. For a few moments, they made polite conversation - about the restaurant, the city's s

s gaze head-on. "I assume you didn't invit

ment touched his l

expression turning seri

itted in sur

y choosing his words. "My family expects me to marry - soo

ickened. Where was

reputation," Hayden continued. "But my fath

spinning. "So... what does

ified. "I want

certain she'd m

n clarified smoothly. "Stric

is wasn't what she'd

ded. "There would be terms, legal agreem

ked, her voice l

ou won't be controlled," Hayden said withou

d be her chance - her way into

into his pocket and pulled out a sleek black

quietly. "Everything you

her heart pounding. She met his gaze, seeing not just determination

deal. This was his way of

is could be her way of

fted her chin, masking the turmo

d into a knowing sm

foresee how their lives were about to become entangle