The grand ballroom shimmered under the golden chandeliers, the air thick with laughter, music, and the rustling of silk gowns sweeping across the marble floor. Hidden behind intricate masks, the city’s elite indulged in the secrecy of the night, their identities veiled, their inhibitions loosened.

Bahng Christopher Chan, the formidable CEO of one of Korea’s most powerful corporations, stood near the balcony, his black and gold mask concealing his sharp features. He wasn’t one for extravagant gatherings, yet here he was, swirling a glass of champagne, scanning the room for an escape.

Then he saw you.

Draped in an elegant gown, your mask adorned with delicate gems that sparkled under the chandelier light, you moved through the crowd with effortless grace. There was something captivating about you—perhaps the way you held yourself, poised yet untamed, or the way your laughter rang like chimes in the night.

Before he could second-guess himself, he was already moving toward you.

“A lady should not be left without a dance partner at a masquerade,” he murmured, extending a hand.