Five; Th

a dream you can't shake off. The gala had ended hours ago, but my head

an

who built an empire from scratch, who didn't smile, didn't bend, didn't fall. And maybe that's what made him

that

. "You made the f

f-asleep, voice dry. "What did

od press. You were seen talk

king? I didn't even

a caught you two in one fr

and rubbe

what

, her tone shift

e. "He

reached out. Said Mr. Han

like it had just ins

I were you, I'd go. Thi

ed the clouds, glass walls gleaming under the sun. The kind of buil

e elevator ride up felt endless. I checked my reflection once, twice. E

window, back turned, hands in his pockets. The sky

s We

ing. His voice was c

eplied, trying

hifted. He was different up close, sharper, quieter. Hi

seat,"

g my purse a li

t rudely. Just... observantly.

lines," he bega

ay to put it,

t smiled

like someone who

"But even the strongest people fall

he understood more than

se, the fall, the scandal. T

ispered, "th

seconds, heavy but not un

can help e

row

ach oth

his chair, eyes ne

oise. Publicity. Someone who looks good bes

lin

mea

nod

x months. Appearances, events, interviews. In excha

, more from disb

re ser

y things I

as nothing romantic in his tone. It was business. Calcul

y m

as

hrug

game. And you've got something I respect the ability

y. It sounded almost like a compliment

will believe it?

e said simply. "You'll get your career

t this was crazy. Cold. Manipula

Tired of being scandalous. If I had to play a

"And what do I owe

ightly just enough to

," he said. Then after a beat, "When th

said it like he'd had to walk away

le. "You can read it. Think abo

My name was already t

had thi

ready," he

spoke. The only sound was the

, untouchable, but there was something behind his eyes, a quiet

om people who once called me their own. And then I thoug

ecognize each other f

file. "I'll d

prise in his expressio

will contact you tom

dress, trying to kee

ing to ask me

ked up

ready

sita

y did yo

, not quite a s

me that pain can s

nd, I coul

ned toward

e how well this

ng, not from excitement, but from so

n't just a deal.

dea what I was