The warm sensation on her lips left Ivy in a stunned silence, her pupils growing as the world around her seemed to blur.

"What are you doing!" William erupted, lunging forward to snatch her away.

The man, unyielding, shielded Ivy with his body. His voice was firm, authoritative. "She's my fiancée. I’d advise you to back off and show some respect.”

William faltered, momentarily thrown by the confidence and presence of the stranger.

His frown deepened as doubt flickered in his eyes, seeing the woman silently wrapped in the man's embrace.

Could he have been wrong? Ivy had always been well-behaved, she couldn’t have been intimate with another man, surely.

Realizing he was on uncertain ground, William hesitated, then muttered a grudging apology "Sorry for the interruption." He turned and walked away with the woman clinging to his arm. His smirk and the way his hand wandered to her waist made Ivy’s stomach churn.

"Baby, let's continue at the hotel," William teased, squeezing the woman’s waist.

Ivy fought back nausea.

Once William and the woman were gone, she pushed away from the man. "Thank you for stepping in earlier, but that’s enough."

"What's this?” he asked with a raised brow, his tone laced with playful mockery. “Using me and then brushing me off?"

Fixing her disheveled hair, Ivy replied curtly, "I appreciate your help today."

He tilted his head, his expression softening but not losing a certain sharp edge. "With a fiancé like that, are you sure you still want to marry him?"

Ivy forced a bitter smile.

She'd long come to terms with William's playboy lifestyle. Being part of the Collins family meant many things were out of her control.

Ivy’s engagement to William had been decided when she was eighteen. Her parents saw it as a strategic alliance between the Collins family and the wealthy, influential Watson family. The Watsons found Ivy quite impressive, so both families arranged the marriage.

But over the years, Ivy had come to see the truth. William was always surrounded by beautiful women, his escapades no longer a secret. She had once tried to confront him, but her mother had dismissed her concerns.

She’d told her that all men were unfaithful, and she should be tolerant for the sake of Watson family's investment in the Collins company.

That was when Ivy understood—her feelings meant nothing compared to the financial security the Watson family brought. To her parents, she was not their cherished daughter but a pawn to secure their ambitions.

Just then, Ivy's phone rang, snapping her from her thoughts.

The screen flashed William's name. “Ivy,” his voice was cold, almost businesslike. "I heard from my parents that they’re planning to announce our wedding date."

"Yes,” Ivy replied, doing her best to steady her voice. “My birthday is coming up and there will be a birthday party. Our parents thought it would be a good opportunity."

William replied flatly, "Fine, announce it. I won't be at the party, but I'll show up for the marriage registration."

His tone was indifferent, as if marriage was just a formality to him.

"By the way,” William added, his voice tinged with suspicion, “There was a masquerade ball today. Did you happen to attend?"

Ivy's heart skipped a beat, but she played dumb. "What ball? Were you going to take me?"

"Never mind. Goodbye." William ended the call abruptly.

Ivy stared at her phone, her hands trembling.

She saw the time. "I'm sorry sir, I have to go!"

As she turned to leave, the man caught her wrist. His voice was low, and there was a hint of amusement. "So, your name is Ivy Collins?"

Ivy froze. Damn, William had revealed her name!

The man drawled, "I'll remember that."

Quickly, Ivy pulled her wrist free. "Goodbye, sir!"

She didn’t wait for his reply and rushed off, her heart pounding as though she were fleeing the scene of a crime.

The man watched her retreating figure, a chuckle escaping his lips. He wiped his mouth, his finger coming away with a touch of red from her lipstick. He tilted his head, the taste of their earlier kiss still fresh on his mind.

He swallowed hard.

"Ivy Collins," he murmured, his voice tinged with intrigue. "We’ll meet again."

*****

Back inside the ball, Richard and Susan Collins were growing impatient. They had attended tonight’s event hoping to meet Ethan Lancaster, the elusive and hard-to-reach CEO of CE Group. They wanted to try their luck meeting such a powerful figure.

Ivy returned to her parents, her face composed but her heart still racing. The warmth of his lips and the intensity of the moment clung to her, leaving her flustered.

"Mom," she greeted softly, slipping back into her role as the dutiful daughter.

Richard returned to them moments later, his expression sour.

Susan quickly asked, "Did you find him?"

"No luck," he muttered. "Ethan Lancaster wasn’t there."

Susan clicked her tongue in disappointment. "Are you sure? A man like him wouldn’t leave without making an impression.”

"I heard he uses a wheelchair because of his leg. I should've spotted him easily, but I didn't see him at all," Richard agreed.

Ivy stifled a laugh. 'As if Ethan would even come to a masquerade ball,' She thought.

She recalled attending one of Ethan's lectures in college. His poised demeanor and intellectual sophistication had left an impression—he seemed far removed from the frivolity of a masquerade ball.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Richard’s voice, sharp with irritation. "You didn't find Mr. Lancaster either? Useless!" he snapped, glaring at her.

Before Ivy could respond, he added coldly, "Remember, your wedding to William is right around the corner. For the sake of our family’s survival, you must make it work with him! If you screw this up, don’t think I’ll let it slide—I’ll break your legs!"

Ivy stayed silent, clenching her fists.

This family, with all its grandeur, felt more like a gilded cage every day.

Once Richard finished berating her, Ivy seized the opportunity to slip away. Her heart ached, but she knew she had no choice but to endure.

Outside, a sleek Maybach pulled up at the curb.

A bodyguard in black stepped forward, bowing slightly as he addressed the occupant, "Mr. Lancaster, Miss Collins has left."

Ethan glanced at the road, his gaze calm yet discerning. "Let's go," he ordered.

As the car pulled away, Ethan leaned against the window, his fingers brushing his lips. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he recalled the fiery kiss from the masquerade ball.

*****

A few days before her birthday, Ivy went about her usual routine.

With college graduation approaching, she was interning at Riverburg Television Station as an assistant director, working with seniors on financial interviews.

On this particular day, upon arriving at the station, she was informed she’d be accompanying a senior to interview a prominent venture capitalist.

Following her senior colleague to the meeting location, Ivy found herself in a cozy coffee shop. She spotted a man and woman sitting by the window.

The woman was strikingly beautiful, exuding elegance. Beside her was an equally captivating man—except he was in a wheelchair, which seemed to heighten the curiosity of onlookers.

When Ivy got a clear view of the man's face, she was surprised.

Wasn't that Ethan Lancaster?

Her heart raced as she processed the sight. The CEO of CE Group, widely rumored to be distant and unapproachable, was on what appeared to be a date.

Ivy’s curiosity ignited, and the corners of her lips quirked up involuntarily.

Sitting down in the coffee shop, Ivy looked up and met Ethan's gaze directly across from her.

A shiver ran through her. Strange. There was something unsettlingly familiar about his eyes, something that made her pulse quicken.

Ivy couldn't help but think of the man she met at the masquerade ball.

‘Could it be...? No way,’ she thought, trying to dismiss the growing suspicion. But the feeling lingered, sending a ripple of excitement and apprehension through her.