hit like a wall. Cameras flashed wildly. Reporters shouted

ox! Are the

ina didn't get

in a secret r

ed against the lights, lips parting in confusion. His heel barely

eady. Po

looked at the press-calm, unre

et," Maddox said, his voice clear

Then an e

ras clicking. Reporters bar

n fr

dox slowly, heart th

dox was

t lasted less than a second, but it was enough. Enough to send th

t bloomed across his face imm

head, giving the cameras

low but meant to be heard, "le

owd we

ams grew

nes in the air-all of it crash

"What the hell was that?" he whispered unde

in a lazy half-wave to the crowd, his ot

PR managers shielding them from more quest

t front, Soren was the first to

kisse

cuff, unbothered.

lled me

s conv

ntire industry

ad slowly. "Do you w

second before he scoffed, tossing

re we

seat, arms folded. "You really

again. "I don't

ould've at least warned me befo

ndled i

fro

expensive wh

fed. "I h

you d

ng. "You owe me. I want front-row seats to

on

y own

e mi

king your ne

indow, the corner of his mouth still tilted up.

s dramatically. "I ho

e i

d him, voice soft but smug.

pond. But he smil

-

as quiet. W

rms folded like he was holding himself together. M

ing this," So

ddox replied wi

something under his breath that

long hedged driveway until it pulled up beside the fountain. The mansion

inside, laughter spill

r mo

ole lives, both sipping champagne, both with phones in hand as if they

her hands. "I knew it! I told you, didn't I?" she squealed, grabbing

burned. "Wait

like she'd just won a prize. "Son, thank you fo

pick anyone"

glasses and smiling. "You've always liked him. I knew

ou talking about ?

t further, footsteps e

n his pockets like the world hadn't just explode

ghtened ins

arms open, smug. "

them, gave Maddox a glance-then

t?" Soren

oaned dramatically.

lied dryly. "Only my

hoked.

and failed to

continued calmly. "I should call

-" Maddo

ren added qui

lapping, planning color schemes, venues, guest lists. Ch

his breath, "Fix this before we end

e problem," Mad

d his eyes. "

zed. He pulled it out casually, glanced

ntrolled.

ced instan

didn't

nded the p

ropped as he r

ng Cal

nd Alina start shouting

I and my boyfriend w

ee" she threatened b