เข้าสู่ระบบBianca stared at the headline like it might rearrange itself if she looked hard enough."So," she said slowly, turning to Ethan. "What exactly are we supposed to do now?"Ethan kept his eyes on the road, though his grip on the wheel had tightened. "Nothing.""Nothing?""Yes, nothing. We won't confirm it and we won't deny it either.""Ethan, it says engagement.""I know!""They're not asking about the merger anymore. They think we're actually getting married.""I know what it says, Bianca."She turned in her seat to face him properly. "Then why do you sound so calm?""Because panicking in a moving car doesn't fix anything."She let out a breath, dropping her phone into her lap like it had personally offended her. For a few seconds neither of them spoke, the hum of the tires filling the space where words should've been."My father's going to call," Bianca said eventually."Mine already has." Ethan nodded toward his phone, buzzing again in the cupholder. "Three times.""You haven't answe
The Al Noor Charity Gala arrived faster than either of them expected.By early evening, luxury cars had already begun lining up outside Dubai's most prestigious hotel, their headlights sweeping across a crowd of photographers and reporters packed three deep behind the velvet ropes.Inside her room, Bianca stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the front of a blush pink gown Victoria had chosen for her weeks ago. Her hair fell in soft waves over one shoulder, and for the first time in longer than she could remember, she didn't immediately start searching her reflection for something wrong.Elena stepped up behind her, gently adjusting the clasp of her necklace."There." Elena smiled at her daughter's reflection. "Perfect.""Mum, it's crooked." Bianca muttered. "It's not crooked. You're nervous."Bianca let out a breath. "Is it that obvious?""Only to me." Elena rested both hands on her shoulders, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "You don't need to become someone else tonight. Jus
The next moment, he was parked outside Victor's building, engine ticking as it cooled, his hand still curled tight around the phone in his lap.Tell me you have good news.He hadn't answered right away. He wasn't sure what counted as good news anymore.The elevator ride up felt longer than it should. By the time the doors opened onto Victor's floor, Daniel had already rehearsed three different versions of what he planned to say. None of them survived the walk to Victor's office.Victor didn't look up when Daniel entered. He stood by the window, glass in hand, watching the lights of Downtown Dubai like they belonged to him personally."Sit," Victor said.Daniel remained standing. "I'd rather stand.""Suit yourself." Victor finally turned. His eyes moved once over Daniel's face, lingering just long enough on the faint red mark still visible near his jaw. "Rough afternoon?"Daniel said nothing."How much access do you have to Ellington Group?" Victor asked, setting his glass down with a
By Wednesday, the entire Anderson mansion had turned into something resembling a fashion showroom.Bianca stood in the middle of Victoria's sitting room, surrounded by garment bags in every shade of gold, emerald, and deep blue, and tried, for the third time, to make her point gently."Ma'am, I really can buy my own dress."Victoria, Ethan's mum didn't look up from the rack she was flipping through, though her voice carried its usual warmth. "I'm sure you can, dear.""I don't want you going through all this trouble on my account.""It's no trouble at all." Victoria held up a deep green gown against the light, studying it carefully. "Let an old woman enjoy herself a little."Bianca smiled despite herself. "You're not old.""Flattery." Victoria glanced at her, amused. "You'll go far in this family.""I only meant...""I know what you mean." Victoria set the gown down and turned to face her properly. "Bianca, you aren't just representing yourself Friday night. You're representing two fami
Bianca stepped into the Ellington Group lobby the next morning, already reaching for her phone to text Ethan that she'd meet him outside, when she stopped short.He was already there, standing near the reception desk, hands in his pockets, looking entirely too comfortable for a man who just called from the car."You're early," she said, walking over."So are you.""I work here." She said, giving him a warm smile. "Fair point." He almost smiled. "Do you have a minute before we head to the office?"She narrowed her eyes. "That depends on what you want!""Let's talk." He said in a casual tone. She questioned him. "About what?""Us!"Bianca blinked. "That's vague.""I mean it in the least romantic way possible." He gestured toward the door. "Walk with me."She followed him outside, more curious than annoyed, though she'd never admit that out loud."Yesterday," Ethan said, once they were out on the sidewalk, "Sophie asked about our first date. We got lucky. The coffee story worked becau
Sunday came faster than either of them wanted.Bianca stood outside the Anderson mansion for a moment before ringing the bell, smoothing down the front of her dress like that would somehow prepare her for what was waiting inside.It didn't feel like the dinner. There were no waiters carrying trays, no board members clustered near the windows discussing shares. Just cars parked casually in the driveway and the smell of something cooking drifting from an open window.The door opened before she could knock again."Bianca!" Victoria pulled her into a hug like they'd known each other for years instead of days. "Come in, come in. Everyone's already here.""Sorry, was I late?""Not at all." Victoria waved a hand. "Charles and Elena got here early. You know how your father is."Bianca smiled faintly and followed her inside.The dining room felt smaller than the one from the disastrous dinner, though it was probably the same size. Richard sat at the head of the table with a newspaper folded in







