Xiangshe Club.

The room buzzed with people, lights gleaming everywhere. Grace Evans took a small step back, face tense as she faced the director. “Miss Evans, how about a toast? Cross-cupped wine. You do that, not only do you get the runway spot, I might even get you into a top agency.”

Grace pressed her lips together, staying quiet.

She knew her limits, one more drink and she'd be out for days. Desperate, she looked toward Liam Carter.

He didn’t even blink. “Why are you looking at me? Didn’t we agree you’d make Mr. Scott happy? If he wants something, just go with it.”

Worse, Liam turned straight to the director. “Mr. Scott, she’s new. Still figuring out how things work in this industry—please don’t take offense.”

Grace felt her last thread of hope snap. Her heart twisted in her chest.

But she had no choice. If they couldn’t pay off the loan, the company would crash. Liam would lose everything.

And she owed him... after what happened last year.

Reluctantly, she took the glass, but just as she did, Ethan Scott leaned in with a greasy grin, “Tiny waist, pretty lips—so soft. Mind feeding it to me... mouth to mouth?”

“No way,” Grace’s brows drew together in clear rejection.

The director’s face turned sour.

“Don’t be shy. Just a kiss, right?” Liam quickly chimed in.

Grace felt like she’d been stabbed. Hard.

So that was it. He wanted to hand her over like she meant nothing now?

No. Not happening.

She held her ground, clutching the glass tightly. No matter how Liam nudged or whispered, she stood tall, stubborn fire in her eyes.

The air around them thickened with tension.

Then, a deep, magnetic voice cut in, “What’s happening here? Seems lively.”

A man stood at the doorway. His features were sharp, cold even, but the power he radiated was unmistakable. His dark eyes swept the room and landed on Grace—with barely a shift, something deep flickered beneath the surface.

“Mr. Donovan? What a surprise—you’re here?” Ethan Scott’s face flipped from annoyance to full PSA-mode, practically bending in half. “Nothing much, sir, just a little wine game with the young lady. Didn’t mean to surprise you.”

Lucas Donovan. The heir to the Donovan Group. No one dared mess around when he was watching—no one dared cross him, period.

Lucas didn’t speak. His gaze flicked down to the hand on Grace’s waist, and suddenly his expression darkened.

All at once, he stepped forward, pulling Grace into his arms. Wine splashed from her glass onto him—but he didn’t care. Not even a blink of hesitation.

It was like he knew every curve, every move of this woman’s body, far from strangers.

“Ah—”

Grace’s face landed against his chest. Through the layers of fabric, she could still feel the heat and strength of him. She instinctively tried to push away, but his grip only tightened.

“Do you know me?”

His voice was low, almost a whisper.

Grace raised her head, eyes locked on his.

He looked familiar… kind of.

“You really don’t remember?” he murmured.

His breath brushed against her skin, dragging her thoughts back into focus.

“You’re… you’re Lucas Donovan…”

Lucas’s lips curved, just slightly.She hadn't forgotten.

"Executive President of Minghua Group…"

Grace Evans slurred slightly through her tipsy haze. That name, so well-known in the business world, and that handsome face she’d seen all over the headlines—how could she possibly not recognize him?

Lucas Donovan’s brow twitched, and a flicker of disappointment passed through his eyes.

"Can you… let me go first?" she mumbled.

"No."

With a faint smile tugging at his lips, Lucas ignored her resistance. He glanced up, his face turning cold as he snatched the glass from Director Ethan Scott. "I’ll drink this toast for her."

A year ago, she stumbled into his life, then left without a word. And now she didn’t remember any of it?

This time, he wasn’t going to let her go that easily.

"Mr. Donovan…" Ethan’s expression shifted, his unease barely hidden.

That beautiful prize was now slipping through his fingers, handed off just like that?

He was furious inside but didn’t dare speak up.

Lucas Donovan wasn’t someone you crossed—he was the force behind Minghua Group, the giant that even top celebrities had to flatter.

Watching their arms link for the toast, Ethan could only let out a long, helpless sigh.

"Drink it," Lucas said. His voice was deep and magnetic—Grace had to admit, his voice alone could make people waver.

But this kind of toast? To her, it was something only meant to be shared with someone intimate.

And Lucas? What did he mean to her now?

She started to put the glass down, searching for Liam Carter nearby, her eyes full of silent pleading.

But instead of helping, he stood to the side fawning over others, even pushing her toward it:

"Come on, it’s a privilege to toast Mr. Donovan. Women are lining up for the chance—you should feel lucky. Why are you acting like some innocent schoolgirl over a drink?"

His eyes were impatient, clearly afraid she’d offend their big guest.

And buried in those words, there was blame.

Right. She had no right to act pure.

She didn’t deserve to feel guilt, and yet it tugged at her.

"Get lost," Lucas snapped, the sharp tone cutting through the air as he shot Liam a disgusted look.

As if that man had any right to judge her.

"Yes, yes, of course—I’ll go, I’ll go," Liam snorted, still grinning with zero dignity, backing away without argument.

That pathetic display hit Grace hard.

Her grip tightened, and she finally drank down the liquor with rigid motions.

It burned going down—and stung even worse in her heart.

She felt hot. Way too hot.

Whether it was heartbreak or rage, she didn’t know. Everything seemed to blur.

Lucas sensed something was wrong immediately.

Her skin felt strange. Heating up fast.

Her breathing quickened, and her body softened against his chest. Her cheeks flushed unnaturally.

There was something in the drink.

He shot Ethan a cold, accusatory glare before scooping Grace up in his arms and storming out without hesitation.

From the shadows, Liam watched everything play out, not missing a beat.

He’d made sure that drink was spiked.

And now it wasn’t some nobody taking her away—it was Lucas Donovan himself.

No need to suck up to a sleazy director anymore.

With Lucas on their side, getting her a spot on the show was just the beginning.

Liam’s mind whirled with calculations, his gaze narrowing, a dark smirk playing at his lips…