Chapter 2

Five years later

The ballroom at The Grand Opulence Hotel buzzed with the sound of chatter and the clinking glasses as guest mingled and enjoyed the lavish surrounding.

After making the obligatory small talks, Damien Ashford excused himself and went upstairs to the lounge, seeking a moment of respite from the crowd.

The lights were dim, the lounge was empty except from himself.

Yet, be couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched.

He scanned the room, his jaw clenching slightly as he tried to pinpoint tge source of his unease.

Before his investigation was complete, however, someone else entered the lounge, "Hi, there."

Without turning around, Damien recognised the A-list actress by her famous sultry voice.

Olivia Hamilton struck a pose in tge open doorway, her long, flowing brunette hair cascading down her back, complimenting her form-fitting black cocktail dress dotted with sparkling sequins.

Her captivating smile hinted at both confidence and mischief.

With calculated steps, Olivia approached Damien, her eyes gleaming with desire.

She reached out to gently touch his arm, her voice laced with seduction. "Damien darling, I thought I might find you here. Care to join me for some... Private entertainment?"

Damien's expression remained cool and unaffected.

He stepped back, subtly avoiding Olivia's touch. "Not interested, Olivia. I'm here to relax, not indulge in your games."

Undeterred, Olivia closed the distance between them flirtatiously swaying her hips .

She reached out again, this time aiming for his belt.

Sensing her intention, Damien's patients wore thin, and he firmly shoved her back, his voice filled with icy resolve. "I said no, Olivia. Respect my boundaries."

Humiliation flashed across Olivia's face, her eyes welling up with tears.

She lashed out, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh Damien, can't get it up for the sexist of women? Maybe there's something wrong with you."

Maintaining his composure, Damien met her gaze with with steely resolve. "Save your theatrics, Olivia. It won't change my mind."

He watched as she hastily adjusted her attire and makeup, trying to regain some semblance of dignity.

Before leaving the lounge, Olivia attempted one salvage of pride. "I was just playing with you, Damien. No hard feelings."

She turned on her heels, making her way towards the exit, her shoulder tense with the sting of rejection.

As the lounge door closed behind her, Damien's attention shifted to the thick curtain that concealed the hidden observer.

He spoke with authority, his voice carrying a warning. "Come out now,"

No movement.

* * *

Standing stiffly behind the curtain, with her back pressed against the french window, Melissa prayed that the man was just bluffing.

He couldn't know that she was in the room, could he?

"You, behind the curtain. Come out. Don't make me repeat myself again."

Melissa's hope was dashed by the man's commanding voice, which seems to have grown even colder.

She signed and reluctantly stepped out.

And came face to face with Damien Ashford.

The first thing she noticed was his strong jawline, since the man was a head taller than her.

Then she took in the rest of the man, a perfect blend of rugged masculinity and striking handsomeness.

Her eyes lingered a second longer on his remarkably long, dark eyelashes, which cast a deep shadow over his face.

That was about as much details as she could make out, since the light were too dim for her to see.

Yet, Melissa was thrilled.

The feelings did not stem from his appearance; it was his identity.

As the mastermind behind Ashford Enterprises, a colossal conglomerate that spanned various industries, Damien's influence reach far and wide.

His company was a Titan in the business world, holding a firm grip on the city's economy and impacting the lives of countless individuals.

Not yet thirty years old, Damien Ashford had build an empire that was the envy of many.

In the bustling metropolis of starline city, his name was synonymous with power and prosperity.

His wealth knew no bound, with opulent mansions nestled in prestigious neighborhoods, luxury vehicles that turned head as they rolled through the city street and a lifestyle that exuded extravagance at every turn.

Logan's elevated status was undisputed, and his influence permeated the social fabric of the city, making him a force to be reckoned with.

And he might just be the scoop Melissa needed to establish herself in BuzzFeed , the tabloid paper where she she landed an offer.

She had snuck into the hotel tonight hoping to get a scoop on Olivia Hamilton, who'd just shot into stardom in the past year.

But the ballroom was too big, and Olivia was constantly surrounded by knots of people, Melissa lost interest and came up into the deserted lounge to call her son.

She had barely reached the middle of the room, when she heard footsteps coming her way.

Hastily,she ducked behind the curtain, hoping the newcomer will soon go away.

But another set of footsteps, this time a woman's, soon joined the first one.

Melissa was resigned to the fate of getting stuck behind the curtain for a long time.

But who would have thought that the scoop she was Searching for would just fall on her lap!

Just imagine — ‘Sizzling Scandal: Starline's Billionaire Bachelor Damien Ashford Link to A—List Actress Olivia Hamilton!’

Melissa tried but faile to hide a grin as she thought about the huge bonus the editor was sure to hand to her once the story broke.

That was, if she could make it out of here tonight in one piece.

Forcing a smile, she hid the camera behind her. "Oh, hi there. Sorry for disturbing you. I'll, uh, I'll leave right away.'

Damien reached out a hand. "Give me,"

"What?" Melissa feigned ignorance.

"The camera in your hand."

"Oh, this old thing" Melissa produced the second hand mirrorless Nikon camera and then quickly hid it behind her back again. "It's relic. Doesn't even work."

She pointed to the invisible watch on her left wrist. "Oh, looked at the time! I must have dozed off for a while! I have to gett back to my friends downstairs. See you!"

Just as she was about to pass him, Damien shit out an arm and grabbed her wrist. "Delete the photos."

Melissa struggled in vain to break free.

When she realized out there was no way she could overpower a man almost twice her size, she relented. "Fine, but there was nothing newsworthy in the photo anyway."

She tried to delay the inevitable, moving her hand as slowly as she could manage. "You reject Miss Hamilton's advances. Which is actually a good thing for your reputation if the story gets out. Just imagine this headline — ‘Shockwaves: Damien Ashford, Starline's wealthiest Bachelor, Shuns Olivia Hamilton's Seductive Charm!’ Your popularity with the ladies is going to soar!"

Damien sneered. "Which reputable news agency is going to print a headline like that? Miss, you just confirmed your identity as a paparazzo."

"Hey, The outlet I work for is pretty reputable!" Melissa protested.

"Oh yeah? What is the name of your esteemed outlet?"

"BuzzFeed"

That drew a raised eyebrows from Damien. "The gossiper's gazette?"

"We published serious news too!"

"Though, truth be told, the quality of journalism at BuzzFeed had sort of gone downhill in recent years.

It started off with the ambition of delivering a diverse range of articles and videos that covers a wide arrays of topic including news, entertainment, lifestyle, pop culture, and more.

But ever since the new editor-in-chief took over, more column space was given to showbiz gossips more than real news.

Melissa had hesitated when she applied for a position there; the difference between a tabloid reporter and a journalist was as wide as that between two-dollar cheese burger from a fast-food chain and an A5-grade Kobe ribeye steak.

But then, beggars can't be choosers.

And even so, she had to fight for the position with half a dozen other interns.

Which was why she needed the scoop so badly—hee three months probation was almost up.

If she doesn't prove her worth as a gossip hound by then, she had to pack up and go home.

So she had to keep her job, which meant she had to get the scoop, which meant she had to keep her camera.

But what could she do to convince Mr Ashford to let her leave with the photos?