Though Miranda''s gazecked any trace of desire as she contemted his body, it still managed to set Elian aze.


    He was a man, after all, a man in his prime, so he knew exactly what kind of heat was coursing through him.


    And he could tell, without a doubt, that Miranda''s look held a certain satisfaction with what she saw. It wasn''t the first time, either. That unabashed, appraising stare she reserved just for him... he found himself oddly enjoying it.


    Unlike other women whose stares made his skin crawl, Miranda was the only one who looked at him so openly, so boldly.


    Elian''s voice was like a siren''s call, teasing Miranda right down to her very bones. Her eyes roamed even more openly over him; if looks could satisfy one''s desire, hers would be reaching to the climax. "You..." her gaze deliberately lingered on his belt buckle.


    Elian raised an eyebrow, waiting for her next words.


    "Wish," Miranda said with a hint of disdain.


    Elian''s expression froze, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he enunciated her name. "Miranda." To Miranda, Elian seemed like a puppy she had just yfully kicked, barking indignantly at her. Miranda tugged her lips.


    Meanwhile, Sebastian observed the pair from where he was mingling with the crowd. Seeing them engrossed in conversation, a chill flickered behind his sses.


    Hispanion teased, "Looks like you''ve finally met your match, Mr. Everhart. But someone might beat you to the punch."


    Sebastian responded with a calm, faint smile, "The game''s just started. It''s too soon to tell where the chips will fall."


    His words took hispanion by surprise. They''d known each other for years.


    Although Sebastian rarely mingled with the circle, everyone knew of him, much like they knew of Elian, whom they barely saw but were aware of.


    Wealthy ns had their own hierarchies. Average opulent families were not in the same league,pared to Sebastian and Elian, whose families took roots in Virell with their historical background. They were the true blue bloods, their families intertwined with politics or the military. They were the real deal, the epitome of aristocracy.


    Sebastian, with his refined charm, had taken the helm of his family''s business empire in Zephra. Handsome and wealthy, he had no shortage of women eager to get closer to him. Yet, he''d never shown interest in any of them, much like Elian.


    Unlike the notoriously ruthless Elian, who most people feared, Sebastian''s demeanor was more genteel, easy to converse with, though those who knew him well understood the steely resolve beneath that polished exterior.


    "It seems you''re serious this time, Mr. Everhart," the man quipped with a yful grin.


    Sebastian said nothing, merely took a measured sip of his wine, his gaze lingering thoughtfully on Miranda and Elian across the room.


    the same time, many of the youngdies at the party couldn''t help but nce toward Sebastian and Elian. Both men, each with their distinct allure, were effortlessly more striking than any movie star. These men, with theirmanding presence, were beyondparison to celebrities'' finest. Unfortunately, one was as perilous and mesmerizing as a siren''s call, while the other was like an untouchable, exquisite statue on a pedestal.


    Meanwhile, outside the grand hotel where the party was held, the face of each member of the Hawke family set in grim lines.