Chapter 25

Bella's POV

I sat in the opulent ballroom, surrounded by the glittering lights and the sound of laughter and conversation. It was a world I had become accustomed to, a world of wealth and privilege that came with being by Xander's side. But tonight, there was an undercurrent of tension in the air, a palpable sense of anticipation that made my heart race.

I glanced at Xander, his charismatic presence commanding the room. He looked dashing in his tailored suit, his dark hair perfectly styled, and his piercing blue eyes surveying the crowd with a mix of confidence and intrigue. But there was something in the way he carried himself tonight, a subtle hint of wariness that mirrored my own unease.

The reason for our unease was none other than Adrian Chase, the powerful rival billionaire who had set his sights on me. He was a man known for his ruthless ambition, his hunger for power matched only by his insatiable desire for conquest. And tonight, he had made it abundantly clear that I was his