Chapter 2: The Stranger in Black
"Nobody wants her? How about five dollars then?" Richard’s booming laughter echoed through the high-end sound system. Alyssa closed her eyes tightly, wishing the polished marble floor beneath her feet would swallow her whole.
"One million dollars."
A calm, deep, and incredibly powerful voice cut through the room from a distant corner, instantly killing Richard’s laughter and plunging the entire ballroom into a dead, breathless silence.
Every eye swung toward a dim table near the back. A young man, likely in his late twenties, was slowly rising to his feet. He possessed sharp, striking features reminiscent of a Hollywood actor, his dark hair immaculately styled. Dressed in a sleek, modern all-black tuxedo and shirt, he radiated an effortless aura of quiet authority. He calmly buttoned his suit jacket, stepping out into the open.
May you like
Richard’s smug smile froze on stage. He lowered the microphone, his eyes narrowing into slits of suspicion and brewing anger. "Young man, this is a private gala. Who do you think you're playing with?"
Alyssa opened her eyes, staring at the stranger. Her instincts told her he didn't belong to this pretentious circle. The way he looked at her held no pity; it was a gaze of absolute, unyielding protection.
