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Ivy glanced down and found a diamond bracelet. Rubies embedded into it sparkled under the light.
Her breath caught.
Her eyes sparkled at the sight, making Christian smile. Lifting her wrist, he carefully clasped the bracelet in place, locking it. Then, he brought her wrist to his lips, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to the underside of her wrist.
A soft, ticklish sensation coursed through her, making her shiver.
"Come," he murmured, wrapping his arm around her waist and leading her out of the house.
The car ride was smooth, and after about an hour, they arrived at a grand hotel. The chauffeur opened Ivy’s door, but before she could step out, Christian was already there, offering his hand.
She took it, stepping gracefully onto the pavement as all eyes turned toward them.
As they ascended the stairs to the entrance, whispers trailed after them.
"Isn’t that Mr. Evans? I’ve never seen him at an event with a woman before."
"It is! Oh my God, you’re right. Who is she?"
"She’s stunning. Must be some heiress. Christian Evans wouldn’t be seen publicly with just anyone."
"Look at that dress. Isn’t that Hannah Raymond’s work? But she only releases one design per year… this one has never been seen before."
"Wait. Does that mean Hannah made a second custom design just for this woman?"
"Who is this woman?"
The murmurs followed them into the party, every gaze fixated on them.
Christian and Ivy stepped into the lavish ballroom, the attention of the entire room locked onto the captivating couple.
The hotel gleamed with gold accents, the air filled with the scent of expensive perfume and champagne. Luxury dripped from every corner—elegant gowns, tailored suits, and flawless makeup gracing the attendees. Everything was pristine, every detail meticulously curated for the evening.
This was no ordinary gathering; it was a business party hosted by one of the most influential men in the world of riches—Adrian Vaughn.
He was the owner of a vast automotive empire, commanding several prestigious luxury car brands. But what made him even more legendary was his exclusive luxury car store in Manhattan, the only one of its kind in the world, catering solely to the wealthiest elite. His wealth was staggering, his influence unmatched, and his empire only continued to expand.
Adrian Vaughn wasn’t just one of the richest men in the country—he was also a bachelor. And that alone was enough to turn the party into a battlefield of ambition. The room was teeming with women, each one vying for a moment of his attention, eager for a chance to be the one who caught his eye.
Christian and Ivy walked into the place, the buzz of the party enveloping them. Cars were displayed everywhere, a shining exhibition of luxury, with multiple screens showcasing the latest high-end collections for all to admire. The room was filled with the richest of the rich, but only a select few could afford the million-dollar cars on display—an exclusive experience meant to celebrate Adrian’s success.
Larry spotted them from a distance and rushed over with a grin plastered on his face. "Everybody's talking about Christian Evans’s date!" he exclaimed, handing a drink to Ivy as his eyes flicked toward Christian. "More than the cars, people are talking about Ivy tonight."
Christian smirked, sliding his arm around Ivy’s waist and planting a kiss on her forehead, lingering for a long moment. "Good," he murmured.
Ivy’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt the eyes of the crowd on them. ‘He did that on purpose,’ she thought, her eyes darting around. People were staring at them, their gazes sharp with curiosity. After Christian’s open display of affection, the attention on Ivy grew more intense.
"Man, come here." Larry pulled him to the side, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. His expression was dead serious as he spoke. "Are you trying to make me feel single on purpose? Don’t you know kissing isn’t allowed at business parties? Keep that cold, dead face of yours so people stay scared of you. We get the best deals without even trying. If you start getting all mushy, people are going to think you’re an easy target to fool, and you’ll get poor deals."
Christian pushed Larry away, returning immediately to Ivy’s side, giving him a pointed frown and an indifferent turn of his head. Larry’s mouth dropped open in shock.
"You forgot your brother as soon as you got a wife? Traitor! Absolute fucking traitor!" Larry snapped.
“Stop acting like a wounded ex,” Christian muttered, a sigh escaping his lips. "I'm getting more annoyed the longer I look at you." He rolled his eyes, turning his head away dismissively.
Larry gritted his teeth, grabbed a drink, and shoved it into Christian’s hand with both hands. "Fine, fine! Call me a wounded woman all you want. That’s why I’m your best friend. I’ll take the badmouthing in exchange for the killer money I get out of you."
Ivy snickered immediately, stifled a laugh, but Christian noticed and smiled down at her, his gaze softening.