The Romano family gala was supposed to be perfect.
Perfect lighting.
Perfect guests.
Perfect celebration.
And tonight was important.
Elena Romano stood near the center of the grand ballroom, greeting investors and business partners beside her fiancé, Matteo Bianchi. The Romano Corporation had just secured a major expansion deal, and tonight's event was meant to celebrate that victory.
Everything was going exactly as planned.
Until the doors opened.
A strange hush rolled through the ballroom.
It started near the entrance, like a wave of whispers spreading through the crowd.
Elena frowned slightly.
"What's going on?" she murmured.
Matteo glanced toward the doors.
Then his brows lifted in surprise.
"Well… that's interesting."
Elena followed his gaze.
And her heart dropped.
Walking into the ballroom like he had every right to be there was the last person she expected to see tonight.
Damon Vale.
Her stomach tightened immediately.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dressed in a perfectly cut black suit that made him look like he belonged on the cover of a magazine rather than in a corporate gala.
Five years ago he had been attractive.
Now?
Now he was dangerous.
His hair was darker than she remembered, slightly longer, and the calm confidence in the way he walked made people instinctively step aside for him.
Conversations slowed.
Executives turned.
And within seconds, several women near the entrance were already staring.
Elena muttered under her breath.
"You have got to be kidding me."
Matteo looked amused.
"That's Damon Vale, right?"
"Yes."
"The Vale family Damon?"
She exhaled slowly.
"Yes."
The Vale family.
Their biggest rivals.
For over thirty years the Romano and Vale companies had competed for contracts, investors, and influence in the business world. The rivalry was legendary.
And Damon Vale was the heir to it all.
Which meant one thing.
Trouble.
As if sensing her gaze, Damon looked up.
Their eyes met across the room.
Recognition flickered instantly.
Then something else.
Amusement.
Elena straightened her posture.
"Oh no," she murmured.
Too late.
Damon had already started walking toward her.
The room seemed to part for him.
Investors tried to greet him on the way.
A woman lightly touched his arm while speaking to him.
Someone laughed nervously at something he said.
Damon responded politely but briefly, his voice calm and low.
He didn't linger.
He didn't chase attention.
And somehow that made people want it more.
Within seconds he was standing in front of Elena.
Up close, he was worse.
Much worse.
His dark eyes studied her calmly, like he was inspecting a very interesting problem.
"Well," Damon said quietly.
"Elena Romano."
His voice hadn't changed.
Still smooth.
Still annoyingly confident.
Elena crossed her arms.
"Damon Vale."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Damon smirked slightly.
"I see the Romano family is still throwing expensive parties."
She raised an eyebrow.
"And I see the Vale family is still showing up where they aren't welcome."
Matteo coughed softly, trying not to laugh.
Damon finally looked at him.
"And you are?"
Matteo offered his hand.
"Matteo Bianchi."
Damon shook it once.
Firm.
Controlled.
"Elena's fiancé," Matteo added.
For a brief second, Damon's gaze returned to Elena.
Something unreadable flashed across his expression.
Then it was gone.
"Congratulations," Damon said calmly.
Elena didn't miss the faint sarcasm in his voice.
"Thank you," she replied sweetly. "I'm glad someone from the Vale family can still say something polite."
Damon tilted his head.
"You always did have a sharp mouth."
"And you always had an ego problem."
He chuckled quietly.
Some nearby guests had begun pretending not to listen.
But they absolutely were.
The tension between the two heirs of rival companies was far too entertaining.
Damon glanced around the ballroom.
"Nice event."
"Don't get comfortable," Elena replied.
"You're still the enemy."
"That hasn't changed."
One of the investors approached Damon nervously.
"Mr. Vale, I didn't know you'd be attending tonight."
Damon nodded slightly.
"I wasn't planning to."
The man looked eager.
"Well, if you have time later, we would love to discuss potential collaboration."
Damon gave a noncommittal nod.
"We'll see."
That was enough.
The investor walked away looking thrilled.
Elena stared.
"You didn't even say yes."
"I didn't say no either."
She rolled her eyes.
Typical Damon.
Several women passed behind them slowly, whispering to each other.
"He's gorgeous."
"Is that Damon Vale?"
"I heard he's brutal in negotiations."
Elena heard every word.
And it annoyed her more than it should.
Damon noticed.
"You look irritated."
"I am irritated."
"Why?"
"Because you walked into my family's party like you belong here."
He leaned slightly closer.
"Our families compete in business, Elena."
His voice lowered.
"That doesn't mean I can't attend a party."
She stepped closer too.
"You enjoy provoking me."
"I enjoy winning."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You haven't won anything yet."
Damon smiled faintly.
"We'll see."
Matteo cleared his throat.
"I have a feeling you two have history."
Elena and Damon answered at the same time.
"Yes."
"No."
They both paused.
Then Damon chuckled quietly.
Matteo laughed.
"This is going to be interesting."
Across the room, more executives were already heading toward Damon.
Investors.
Business partners.
People who clearly wanted his attention.
Within moments, a small crowd had begun forming around him.
Elena folded her arms.
"Look at them."
Matteo watched the scene too.
"People respect power."
"Elena scoffed."
"They're acting like celebrities."
Damon glanced back at her once more before the crowd swallowed him.
That small irritating smirk still on his face.
Matteo leaned closer to Elena.
"So… lifelong enemies?"
She nodded.
"Something like that."
Matteo smiled slightly.
"Well."
He looked across the ballroom at Damon surrounded by admirers.
"This party just became a lot more interesting."
Elena didn't reply.
Her eyes were still on Damon Vale.