The party hall was designed in a grand circular layout.
Large round tables were placed at the center, each surrounded by plush sofa-style chairs.
Families sat together, soft music floating in the air, crystal lights reflecting luxury and power.
Selene, completely unaware of the dangerous shift happening around her,
sat comfortably on a corner sofa near one of the tables.
A bowl of strawberry ice cream rested in her hands. đ§
She was enjoying it with childlike happinessâ
small bites, a satisfied smile, lost in her own world.
She didn't notice him.
Not until she felt it.
That unmistakable feelingâ
of being watched.
Closely.
Intensely. đïžđïž
Selene slowly lifted her gaze.
And froze.
The man sitting beside her was⊠striking.
A perfectly tailored three-piece suit.
Hair styled neatly with gel.
Fair skin, sharp jawline.
The top buttons of his shirt were casually undone, revealing a thick gold chain around his neck.
A luxury watch shimmered on his wrist.
Confidence oozed from him.
Noâ
power.
Overall, the man was dangerously handsome.
Selene narrowed her eyes at him and spoke bluntly,
"Just because you're staring at me like that doesn't mean I'm giving you my ice cream."
She scooped another bite dramatically.
"If you want some, go get your own."
The man raised an eyebrow, eyes narrowing slightly as he replied,
"And what makes you think I'd ever want to eat something that⊠messy?"
That did it.
Selene glared.
"My ice cream is way better than your face," she snapped.
"At least it looks goodâand tastes even better." đ
Then, looking him up and down, she added,
"And honestly? You look like someone who eats grass just like that devil." đ
The man leaned back, amused.
"Devil?" he asked calmly.
"Which devil?"
Selene made a pouty face.
"There's one," she said dramatically.
"Gone completely crazy these days."
He frowned slightly.
"Crazy? What kind of language is that?"
Selene shrugged smugly.
"A very unique language. Only people like me understand it." đ
Just then, a woman approached them.
Her name was Milli.
She wore a short one-piece dress, far too revealing for subtlety.
Her eyes shamelessly scanned the man beside Selene.
"May I sit here?" Milli asked sweetly.
Selene looked at her from head to toe, unimpressed. đ
Then replied,
"Even if I say no, you'll still sit. So what's the point of asking?"
And she went back to her ice cream.
Milli was clearly irritated,
but the man beside Selene smiled faintlyâ
a smile that made him look even more dangerous.
Milli sat close to him and said eagerly,
"Mr. Arth, I've been wanting to meet you for so long.
I even tried meeting you in London, but couldn't."
Selene's spoon froze mid-air.
Did she just sayâ
Arth?
Her eyes widened. đł
"What did you just call him?" Selene asked sharply.
Milli smiled proudly.
"Arth Sahni."
Selene's heart dropped.
Arth Sahni⊠second male lead.
She swallowed hard and thought bitterlyâ
People step on axes by mistakeâŠ
I walked straight in and laid down on one.
Forcing a bright smile đ, Selene stood up quietly, ready to leave.
Butâ
Arth caught her wrist.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
Selene looked at him innocently.
"Well, you two clearly need privacy.
I'd hate to interrupt your 'I love you' session."
She smiled painfully. đ
Arth raised an eyebrow.
"And who told you I'm interested in women like her?" đ€š
Selene blinked.
Right⊠he's just like that devil too.
Before Selene could respond, Arth turned coldly to Milli.
"If you don't want to be embarrassed in this party, leave.
Now."
The threat in his voice was unmistakable. đĄ
Milli stormed away, humiliated.
Arth turned back to Selene, still holding her hand.
"Why did you run after hearing my name?" he asked calmly.
"Do I look like a ghost?"
Before Selene could answerâ
A deep, commanding voice cut through the air.
"Does she need to answer you?"
Selene and Arth turned.
Daniel Raizada was walking toward them.
Slow.
Controlled.
Deadly.
His eyes were locked on Selene's handâ
the one Arth was still holding.
Selene followed his gaze and instantly pulled her hand away.
StrangelyâŠ
Arth didn't like that.
Daniel sat beside Selene and took her hand again.
Without a word, he pulled out his handkerchief, dampened it,
and gently wiped her fingers.
Then he said coldly,
"You're right.
I only care about what's mine."
His eyes darkened.
"And she is my life.
So yesâ
I have every right to speak." đ
Arth's jaw tightened.
A slow devilish smile appeared on his lips. đ
"What if," he said casually,
"the one you call your lifeâŠ
ends up becoming someone else's reason to live?"
The air turned dangerous.
Daniel's eyes turned red with rage.
Grinding his teeth, he replied,
"If anyone even thinks about thatâ
I'll personally make sure they disappear so completely
that they become nothing more than a thought." đĄđ
Selene thought silentlyâ
Both of them are insane.
Just then, Mia arrived.
She smiled softly and asked,
"Is everything alright, Daniel?"
Selene looked at her with pity.
Poor MiaâŠ
But no one told Selene yetâ
that the pity she felt
was meant for herself.
Arth glanced at Mia, then at Daniel.
"Time will decide," he said calmly.
As he reached to touch Selene's cheekâ
Daniel pulled Selene into his chest instantly.
Protective.
Possessive.
Arth's hand froze mid-air.
He looked at them once moreâŠ
then walked away.
And in Mia's heart, for the very first timeâ
Jealousy and anger bloomed.
What form they would take in the futureâŠ
Only time would tell. âł