When they got there, the hostess elegant and discreet politely led them through the richly adorned hallway to the far end of the restaurant, where an exclusive VIP lounge awaited them. The lounge was dimly lit with gold-toned ambient lights, the air perfud with soft notes of cedar and sothing sweet like vanilla. It was quiet, private the kind of place where power whispered rather than shouted.
As they entered, Cora’s eyes imdiately caught the sight of a young man already seated. He was alone, his legs crossed with a casual elegance, his posture relaxed yet precise. He looked up as they approached, but even before he raised his head fully, Cora knew.
That must be him.
He was young. Very young. Much younger than she expected—but sharply dressed, confident in his stillness, and striking in appearance. His jawline was clean, his hair perfectly styled, and his gaze... observant.
Everything about him scread calculated intelligence.
But Cora had learned not to be deceived by appearances. Beauty and charm had once taught her a very bitter lesson—a lesson that still left bruises on her trust to this day. She didn’t care if Lovi looked like he walked out of a fashion magazine; it ant nothing. She had no feelings for him. And she certainly wouldn’t let his polished image or smooth aura blind her judgnt. Not this ti. Never again.
So she kept her face neutral, reserved. Respectful, but guarded.
As she and Malisa sat down, the young man—Lovi—finally lifted his gaze fully, and his eyes locked onto them.
More specifically... onto Malisa.
His attention didn’t drift from her for a good five seconds. It was subtle, but obvious. His lips curved just slightly at the corners, as if greeting her with unspoken familiarity.
From the way he stared at Malisa, anyone could tell—she wasn’t just a business contact. She was soone he had thought about. Soone he rembered.
And yet, his body language remained smooth and respectful. He didn’t shift in his seat or adjust his position like soone caught off guard. He simply looked... intrigued. And ready.
Of course, he had heard the rumors. Everyone in his world had. Cora Winslet—the untouchable woman, the brain behind MK Entertainnt—was now officially divorced. Her ties to her husband had been completely severed. No one had seen her romantically connected to anyone since, and that only made her more desirable. Mysterious. A prize that few could even dream of approaching.
But when Malisa called him earlier that day, he hadn’t imagined Cora would be the one truly coming. In his mind, it had always been Malisa—the strong, sharp woman who fascinated him every ti they crossed paths. And now, here they both were. Sitting in front of him.
A golden opportunity.
Of course, it wouldn’t be easy. Won like Cora—especially with Malisa by her side—never gave anything easily. But opportunities weren’t ant to be easy. They were ant to be seized. Calculated. Executed.
So, for now, he would listen.
He would wait to hear what they had to say. If what they offered benefited him—if the job was worth the ti, the risk, and the reward—he would take it.
And once they started to trust him, even just a little... he would make sure to turn this encounter into sothing far more valuable than they ever expected.
That was exactly what he was going to do.
At that mont, Lovi’s lips curled into a charming, easy smile as his gaze remained locked on Malisa. His voice ca out smooth, calm, and laced with playful energy.
"It’s been a while, Malisa," he said, crossing one leg over the other in a graceful, relaxed posture. "When I saw your na flash on my phone today, I won’t lie—I got excited. Not just because it’s been so long, but because I’ve always rembered the last job I did for you."
He chuckled softly, his tone casual yet warm. "Everything about it... how clean it went, how efficient it was. But what really stuck with was you. The way you carried yourself—so mature, so composed, and so strategic. You didn’t just act like a client. You acted like soone who had already calculated the outco before she even called ."
Malisa gave him a dry smirk, her expression unbothered but knowing. "Alright, alright," she said, raising a hand with a light chuckle. "Stop flattering . I know your job too well, Lovi."
He leaned back slightly, still smiling.
"You’re trying to do what you always do," she continued. "Butter soone up so well they forget they’re handing you their bank account password. You want all flattered and glowing so I don’t even notice how much you’re charging us by the ti we sign the deal."
She folded her arms, still smirking. "Well, just so we’re clear—that might’ve worked on soone else. But that’s exactly why I ca along today. I needed to make sure you don’t pull any of that charm on her."
As Malisa nodded toward Cora, Lovi’s attention finally shifted fully to the woman seated beside her. His eyes t Cora’s for the first ti—not in passing, not casually, but directly and with a slow, deliberate gaze.
He studied her with interest, not just for her beauty—though that was impossible to ignore—but for the aura she carried. Quiet power. Elegance cloaked in mystery. She didn’t try to impress; she didn’t have to. And that made her all the more intriguing.
"Wow," Lovi breathed out with a faint grin, still holding her gaze. "Well, if it weren’t for the code of conduct I live by... I would’ve just turned this eting into a date."
He glanced between the two won playfully. "I an, co on. Dining with two powerful, beautiful won in a private lounge?" He chuckled. "Feels less like work and more like a fantasy."
Cora’s expression didn’t change. She simply arched an eyebrow, unimpressed.
Realizing the air had suddenly shifted, Lovi quickly raised both hands, his grin widening.
"I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Don’t take it the wrong way," he said quickly. "I just wanted to lighten the mood a little. No offense ant."
He cleared his throat, now shifting to a more serious tone as he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table.
"Anyway," he said, eyes now flicking between Cora and Malisa, "I’m really interested in working with you—both of you. So let’s get to it."
He checked the ti on his sleek wristwatch. "I’ve got another eting in two hours. What’s the problem? What do you need to do?"
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