“The scale of this party is insane…” one socialite whispered under her breath. As the official start of the banquet drew near, the entire hall buzzed with restless anticipation. Every guest craned their neck, waiting for the mysterious heiress of the Oliver family to make her grand appearance. Suddenly, the glittering crystal chandeliers dimmed. A single spotlight cut through the soft darkness and illuminated the top of the marble staircase. The crowd fell utterly silent. A young woman stood beneath the light, her champagne-gold couture gown flowing like liquid starlight as she began her descent. Each step she took made the diamonds embroidered along the hem shimmer and scatter beams of brilliance, as though she were walking through a river of stars. Her skin glowed with a snow-white luster, her delicate collarbones catching the light. A blue diamond pendant hung against her chest, the gem gleaming like a fragment of the ocean, perfectly complementing the scattered jewels across her gown. At the foot of the stairs waited Lucas. He was dressed in a flawlessly tailored black tailcoat that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist. A blue diamond pin—identical to Sloane’s pendant—gleamed at his collar. Under the chandelier’s glow, the subtle pattern of his suit radiated quiet sophistication. His sharp features, usually cold and commanding, softened completely as he gazed up at her. His eyes were full of warmth, his lips curved in a faint smile. The ruthless businessman everyone once feared was gone—replaced by a man hopelessly, tenderly in love. When Sloane reached the final step, Lucas dropped to one knee. With reverent care, he took her slender hand and slipped on a pair of sapphire-embedded crystal heels. His fingers brushed lightly against her ankle—his touch so gentle it felt like an act of devotion. Sloane looked down and smiled, her dimples blooming faintly as she reached out to caress his cheek. Their eyes met—light meeting shadow—and sparks seemed to ignite in the air between them. The guests held their breath. Together, they were a vision too perfect to belong to this world—she as luminous as moonlight, he as striking as the sun. Even the painted lovers in the ancient oil portraits along the walls seemed to pale in comparison. “The man waiting for her—” someone gasped softly, “isn’t that Mr. Hawthorne from Stonebridge’s Hawthorne Corp?” Jeffrey, radiant with pride, stepped forward and raised his glass. “Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to formally introduce the treasure of our Oliver family—the daughter we’ve finally found again, Sloane!” The room erupted into a wave of astonishment and admiration. As applause thundered, the orchestra began to play. Lucas took Sloane’s hand, leading her gracefully into the center of the ballroom. The waltz swelled, elegant and sweet. Her champagne-gold gown sparkled under the lights as they moved together in seamless harmony, every turn and step perfectly synchronized. “Nervous?” Lucas murmured, feeling the faint tremor in her palm. Sloane shook her head, eyes glimmering. “Not with you here.”Their movements flowed like poetry. Guests looked on, mesmerized, as the couple danced as if born to fit together—each motion effortless, natural, breathtaking. But just as the final note of the waltz was about to fade, a tall blond man with sharp blue eyes stepped into the edge of the dance floor. “Victor?” Shawn muttered under his breath, his tone darkening. He hadn’t forgotten how that man had once tried to harass Sloane. Victor strode confidently forward, ignoring Lucas’s icy glare. With a charming smile and impeccable posture, he bowed low before Sloane. “Miss Sloane,” he said smoothly, his accented voice drawing every eye in the room. “May I have the honor of this next dance?” The entire hall fell silent once again. Everyone knew of the deep business ties between the Victor family and the Olivers. And now, as he stood before her, the question hanging in the air was almost tangible— Would this be the night two powerful families sealed an alliance… through her?