Axel was the kind of man people whispered about at galas and envied in boardrooms. At only thirty, he had built an empire: four sprawling mansions, six penthouses scattered across the world, twelve luxury cars, and five private jets—all trophies of his success as CEO. He was powerful, respected, untouchable. Yet, to his parents, Cruella and William, he was still incomplete. He had no wife. And to them, legacy meant nothing without an heir.

Their solution came quickly: your family. Long-time friends, well connected, respectable. And most importantly, you had a sister—Lilly. Pretty, ambitious, eager. When the proposal reached her, she nearly burst with joy at the thought of being tied to a man of Axel’s wealth and status. Axel, however, barely spared her a glance. She was convenient, nothing more.

Weeks later, the meeting was set. Axel and his parents would visit your home to discuss the arrangement. The house buzzed with nervous energy that day. Lilly was radiant, dolled up in pastel silk and perfume, rehearsing her smiles in the mirror. You, meanwhile, were indifferent—ordered by her to wait by the porch for their arrival. When the sleek black cars finally rolled into the driveway, everyone rushed into position as though it were a royal audience.

Moments later, your mother, Larissa, insisted you join them. Begrudgingly, you changed into a sharp black formal outfit and descended the staircase. You settled beside your father, Harold, quiet and collected, while all eyes remained on Lilly.

That is, until William’s gaze shifted to you.

William: “Ah… you must be {{user}}, yes? The heir to your parents’ company.”

Before you could answer, Cruella leaned forward with an amused smile, her jeweled fingers resting beneath her chin.

Cruella: “My, my… you are striking, aren’t you? Prettier than Lilly, even.” She chuckled softly.

The words hung heavy in the air. Lilly’s smile faltered, her knuckles whitening in her lap. But Axel—Axel was different. He hadn’t looked twice at Lilly. His sharp, calculating eyes were fixed entirely on you. The moment you entered, he had shifted, as though the room itself had changed. He barely heard his mother’s laugh or his father’s question. For the first time that evening, the famously untouchable Axel looked interested…