The music inside the ballroom continued, but Daniel barely heard it.
His eyes followed Lina as she walked across the room beside Adrian.
Every step she took looked confident.
Elegant.
Unreachable.
Daniel felt something twist painfully inside his chest.
That woman had once belonged to him.
For three years, Lina had been the one waiting for him after long workdays. She had been the one encouraging him when his business struggled. She had believed in him when no one else did.
And he had thrown her away.
Now she stood beside a man far more powerful than he could ever become.
Daniel tightened his grip around his glass of champagne.
Vanessa noticed his expression immediately.
"You're staring," she said coldly.
Daniel quickly looked away.
"I'm not."
Vanessa laughed quietly.
"You always had a terrible poker face."
Her eyes followed Lina as well.
Vanessa hated what she saw.
Lina looked radiant tonight.
Confident.
Beautiful.
But most importantly, she looked happy.
And that made Vanessa furious.
"Do you regret it?" Vanessa suddenly asked.
Daniel frowned.
"Regret what?"
"Leaving her."
Daniel didn't answer.
That silence alone was enough to make Vanessa angry.
"So you do regret it," she said.
Daniel exhaled slowly.
"It's not that simple."
"Oh, it's very simple," Vanessa replied sharply. "You dumped her. Now she's engaged to one of the richest men in the city."
Daniel remained quiet.
Vanessa stepped closer, lowering her voice.
"Don't tell me you're jealous."
Daniel didn't like the word.
Jealous.
But the uncomfortable truth was that he felt something very close to it.
Across the ballroom, Lina laughed softly at something Adrian said.
The sound carried faintly through the music.
Daniel's chest tightened again.
He had not heard that laugh in weeks.
Vanessa noticed where he was looking.
Her expression hardened.
"Well," she said coldly, "if you're finished staring at your ex-girlfriend, we should greet the other guests."
But Daniel barely heard her.
Because at that moment, Adrian leaned slightly toward Lina and whispered something into her ear.
Lina smiled.
The simple gesture felt strangely intimate.
And Daniel suddenly realized something that made his stomach drop.
He had truly lost her.
Not temporarily.
Not emotionally.
But completely.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ballroom, Lina was trying to calm her racing heart.
Seeing Daniel again had stirred up memories she thought she had already buried.
Adrian seemed to notice her distraction.
"You're quiet," he said.
"I was just thinking."
"About him?"
Lina didn't deny it.
"Yes."
Adrian's voice remained calm.
"And how do you feel?"
Lina paused for a moment before answering.
"Strangely… lighter."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"Lighter?"
"Yes."
She glanced across the room where Daniel stood.
"For days I thought seeing him again would destroy me."
"And?"
"It didn't."
Adrian nodded slightly.
"That's progress."
Lina laughed quietly.
"You talk like a therapist."
"I prefer efficiency."
They both smiled.
For a moment, the tension between them eased.
But the evening was far from over.
Suddenly, a group of reporters approached them.
"Mr. Cole!"
Cameras immediately flashed again.
"Is it true you're getting married next month?
Adrian remained composed.
"Yes."
The reporters turned their attention to Lina.
"Miss Carter, how did you meet Mr. Cole?"
Lina froze for a second.
She hadn't expected such direct questions.
But Adrian answered smoothly.
"Through mutual business connections."
"Was it love at first sight?"
Adrian glanced at Lina.l
Then he said something unexpected.
"Yes."
Lina almost choked.
But the reporters loved the answer.
More cameras flashed.
"Do you have a wedding date yet?"
"Soon," Adrian replied calmly.
"Will it be a large ceremony?"
"Of course."
Lina managed to maintain her smile, but inside she was completely shocked.
Love at first sight?
Where had that come from?
When the reporters finally left, Lina turned to him.
"You're a good liar."
Adrian didn't look embarrassed.
"I prefer the word convincing."
"You just told the entire city we fell in love instantly."
Adrian shrugged slightly.
"People enjoy romantic stories."
Lina shook her head.
"You're unbelievable."
Adrian smiled faintly.
But before she could say anything else, a new voice interrupted them.
"Adrian."
Both of them turned.
A tall man in an expensive suit approached confidently.
His sharp eyes moved slowly from Adrian to Lina.
"I see the rumors are true," the man said.
Adrian's expression hardened slightly.
"Victor."
Lina noticed the change immediately.
"Who is he?" she whispered.
Adrian answered quietly.
"Trouble."
Victor Hale smiled politely.
But there was nothing friendly in his eyes.
"So this must be your mysterious fiancée," he said.
His gaze lingered on Lina.
"Interesting choice."
Lina sensed the hostility instantly.
Adrian stepped slightly closer to her.
"As always, Victor, your manners are impressive."
Victor chuckled.
"Oh relax, Adrian. I'm simply curious."
He leaned slightly toward Lina.
"You should be careful," Victor said softly.
"Being close to Adrian Cole can be very dangerous.
Lina frowned.
"Why?"
Victor smiled slowly.
"Because he has a lot of enemies."
Adrian's voice turned cold.
"That's enough."
Victor raised his hands innocently.
"I'm just being honest."
Then he stepped back.
"But don't worry," he added with a faint smile.
"I'm sure we'll meet again."
With that, Victor disappeared into the crowd.
Lina looked at Adrian.
"Who exactly was that?"
Adrian's eyes followed Victor across the room.
"My biggest rival."
Lina's stomach tightened.
"And he just threatened me."
Adrian's voice turned calm again.
"Yes."
Lina crossed her arms.
"You seem strangely relaxed about that."
Adrian looked down at her.
"Because he made a mistake."
"What mistake?"
Adrian's eyes darkened slightly.
"He assumed you're weak."
For some reason, Lina felt a small smile forming on her lips.
"He clearly doesn't know me."
Adrian nodded once.
"No."
Then he added quietly,
"And soon… he will."