The warm yellow glow of the massive crystal chandelier dazzled brightly, while round marble tables were neatly arranged at the center of the hall. On either side of the space, corridors stretched out as guests moved across the lush crimson carpet. The air buzzed with clinking glasses, laughter, and the heady rush of indulgence. This was The Opal Lounge, B City's most exclusive venue—a fusion of high-stakes gaming, fine dining, and an electric bar scene. Here, wealth and excess met at every turn, and nothing was quite as it seemed. At this moment, a woman dressed in a pale-yellow, knee-length, low-cut gown sat at the very center of all the marble tables. A cocktail rested on the table in front of her, yet she hadn't touched a drop. She gazed calmly ahead, like a statue carved from white jade—an air of quiet waiting, though no one dared approach her. Yet, the way her fingers clutched the small chain bag gave her away. Tiny beads of sweat dampened the soft pink leather, betraying the nervous tension she desperately tried to mask. Inside, her chest tightened, each breath harder to draw than the last.
It was her first time wearing such a perfectly tailored dress, and she felt like a mummy, wrapped tightly in bandages, her chest exposed, revealing a deep cleavage and her collarbones. The outfit was nothing less than a masterstroke of design, tailored specifically for this moment. Every seam, every stitch, was crafted with a singular purpose: to entice him.
To seduce the man who had kept her waiting for an hour.
For this day, it felt as if she had waited for twenty-three years—her entire life. This was her path to redemption, to freeing herself from the burden she bore. Somewhere behind her, someone was keeping a careful eye, ensuring everything went according to plan without a hitch.
A man in a sharp suit walked down the clubhouse walkway. He was very tall, almost two meters by the look of him, making him quite conspicuous even in the spacious venue. Shortly after he appeared, another man followed closely behind. This second man also wore a tailored suit. Though shorter than the first, his presence was unmistakable. His ash-brown, layered short hair framed his face perfectly, paired with a pair of ultra-thin, gold-rimmed glasses. Behind the lenses, his eyes—strikingly more beautiful than any woman's—were framed by the sharpest double eyelids, the deep creases drawing your gaze and holding it captive. A straight, refined nose divided his face into perfect thirds, while his slightly downturned lips carried an air of quiet disdain. The way he held himself, with that impeccable posture, made him seem almost untouchable, as if the world itself bent to his will.
She knew he was the one she had been waiting for tonight.
"Are you Sidney Calderon?" the abnormally tall man asked, looking down at her.
"Yes." Her hands were shaking uncontrollably, though she forced herself to appear calm.
After nodding toward the man behind him, the tall man pulled out a chair, and the second man sat down gracefully.
"Miss Calderon, I have already reviewed your information."
"Yes."
"Your figure and education are satisfactory to me, especially your fair skin."
"Thank you, Mr. Nixon."
"However, there is one issue—your heritage."
"...Well, it was only a matter of time."
"You should be thankful that your dad and your stepmother, Shelby, haven't exposed your identity. I'll make sure this stays hidden."
"So..." Sidney suddenly felt a glimmer of hope in his words.
"What I'm saying is, I'll marry you, but first, there are a few things you need to agree to."
Hearing his willingness to marry her, Sidney's eyes lit up immediately.
"Please, go ahead."
"First, you must become pregnant within six months of marriage. Second, you cannot restrict my lifestyle, including my relationships with other women. Third, I dislike women who talk too much. If you fail to meet any of these conditions, we can end the marriage at any time."
"...I agree." These were conditions she had anticipated; she could not refuse.
"Good, you're straightforward. My father's already had our birth charts checked, and next month's 30th is a perfect date. We can start arranging the wedding right now. The wedding planner will get to work immediately, and we'll let you know if we need anything from you."
"Alright."
The man pulled out an ultra-thin business card holder inlaid with tiny diamonds from his suit pocket. He extracted a card with his index and middle finger. The card had a black background with silver edges, and his name, "Jayson Nixon," was elegantly printed in silver ink.
"My private number is on here, but I do not want you bothering me with trivial matters." He flicked the card onto the table in front of her.
Sidney carefully picked up the card, which contained nothing but his name and phone number.
"I've got someone waiting for me, so I've gotta head out. Feel free to stick around and enjoy yourself. I've already told them not to bother you, so have fun!"
