At the masquerade ball, Ivy Collins stood wearing a mask, staring in disbelief at the scene before her.
She watched on as her fiancé, William Watson, was passionately kissing a beautiful woman. She wore the most revealing outfit and looked glued to his body. The two looked like the world's most intimate lovers.
Ivy's eyes stung as tears threatened to come forth. She smiled bitterly instead, struggling with the nauseating feeling that had taken hold of her.
Although she was fully aware that their engagement was an arranged one, motivated by sheer necessity, but she still felt betrayed. She could hardly believe this man openly touching someone else was her fiancé!
"How does it feel to see your fiancé publicly kissing another woman?" A deep, pleasant voice suddenly came from behind.
Ivy jumped, startled. She turned to find a man standing there.
He was tall, wearing a mask that covered his whole face, except his chin and thin lips. What she could see of his facial features looked refined and elegant. He greeted her with a playful smile that made her wonder what he must’ve looked like underneath the mask.
Ivy was momentarily taken aback. Who was he? And more importantly, how did he know about her engagement?
"Uh… Who are you?" She stammered.
The man's lips curved into that smile again, but he didn't answer her question. Instead, he moved closer and teased, "Since he’s capable of that, what’s your take on revenge?"
He leaned in more, forcing Ivy to back up until she felt the wall behind her.
He smoothly caught her waist as she almost fell, their position so intimate, it almost felt like an embrace.
"What kind of revenge?" Ivy decided to play along.
"Give him a taste of his own medicine. Kiss me." His voice was sexy and husky, full of temptation that sent shivers up her spine. "Wanna try?" he teased.
Intimacy seemed to grow around them and the whole thing was terribly disarming. Ivy initially wanted to refuse, but then she changed her mind. If William could betray her like this, why should she abstain?
"Sure." Ivy smiled seductively, rising onto her tiptoes as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Before she could say another word, he pressed her against the wall, his lips capturing her soft ones in a deep, commanding kiss.
His kiss was intense, and it overwhelmed Ivy. He felt hungry, like he couldn't get enough of her. It ignited a fire that left her breathless. Their quickened breaths mingled, each gasp feeding the thrilling tension between them.
So this was what it felt like—kissing a stranger, raw and exhilarating.
After they finally broke apart, he brushed his thumb along her swollen lips, his voice low and full of intrigue, "Did you come to the ball alone?"
"No,” Ivy replied, her breath catching as she worked to steady herself. “I came with my parents. I'm here looking for someone."
Her chest was still rising and falling, a lingering exhilaration in the afterglow of their kiss.
"Who?" the man asked.
"Ethan Lancaster." Ivy smiled. "The CEO of CE Group. He’s a big shot, you must have heard of him, right?"
At her words, the man stilled momentarily, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Not only have I heard of him, I know him personally," he joked.
"Oh?" Ivy's interest was instantly piqued. She peered into his deep, enigmatic eyes, a flicker of recognition tugging at her. There was something oddly familiar about him, but she couldn’t place it.
Who exactly was he?
Unable to resist, she reached up to remove the man's mask.
Ivy's fingertips touched the edge of his mask, both their breathing quickening. Just as she gathered her courage to lift it, the man’s voice broke the moment.
"Your fiancé," the man said with a hint of irony, tilting his head slightly and glancing at the couple walking their way, "is coming."
Ivy looked over and sure enough, spotted William walking toward her, his arm linked with another woman’s..
Even with her mask on, William had to have recognized her. Panic surged through her, her mind racing for a way out.
"Sorry, I need to go," Ivy panicked, pulling back her hand and instinctively turning to flee.
"Flirting and running?" he teased, smoothly stepping in her path. His finger traced her warm lips. "Not going to leave your number? Or I can introduce you to Mr. Lancaster myself?"
"No time!" Ivy blushed, pushing him aside and darting away.
But then, William's shocked and angry voice rang out, "Ivy!" It was too late.
"What are you doing here with another man?" he asked in an accusatory tone.
Ivy awkwardly froze in her tracks, her back rigid, every muscle locked in place.
William stormed up to her, his eyes blazing as they bore into her like daggers.
As the tension thickened, the man suddenly pulled Ivy into his arms and confronted William, "Is there a problem?"
Ivy stumbled into his chest, her heart pounding so loudly it drowned out her thoughts.
"Ivy?" William called, his voice sharper now, his frown deepening.
Ivy knew this was bad, she knew that jerk William would recognize her. But even if he did, she couldn't admit it.
The man’s grip tightened, leaving Ivy no choice but to bury her face in his chest.
"Stop this, I know it's you, Ivy!" William snapped, grabbing her shoulder to turn her around.
Her pulse skyrocketed, cold sweat forming at her temples.
"Let go of her!" The man commanded, his glare cutting like a blade. Before Ivy could react, he bent down and captured her lips in a firm, possessive kiss—right in front of William.
