Like a dream.
Like a woman who had stepped straight out of a painting.
And beside her stood Cassian Han.
Cassian was dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal-grey three-piece suit that radiated understated old-money elegance. The fabric was clearly custom-made, cut to perfection across his broad shoulders and powerful frame. Beneath the suit was a crisp white dress shirt paired with a silk silver tie, secured with a simple platinum tie clip. A luxury watch rested on his wrist, while polished black Oxford shoes completed the ensemble.
Nothing about him was flashy.
Yet everything about him screamed wealth, status, and power.
His black hair was neatly styled, and the faint stubble lining his jaw only made his already striking features more masculine. His sharp features, coupled with his cold, commanding aura, made him stand out effortlessly even in a room filled with powerful men.
But what truly shocked everyone wasn't their appearance.
It was the way Cassian looked at Juliet.
As they walked through the entrance, Cassian's head was slightly lowered toward her, the corner of his mouth curved upward in a rare, genuine smile. Juliet was saying something, her eyes bright with amusement, and for once, the notoriously cold billionaire looked completely relaxed.
He actually looked happy.
Juliet laughed softly at something, and the sound seemed to draw Cassian's attention entirely toward her.
Without warning, he stopped walking.
His hand slid from her waist to the back of her neck, his fingers threading gently into her soft blonde waves. Then, in front of the entire ballroom, he leaned down and captured her lips in a brief but intimate kiss.
A soft gasp escaped Juliet.
Her cheeks immediately flushed a lovely shade of pink.
Embarrassed by the attention suddenly focused on them, she shyly lowered her gaze and lightly pushed against his chest.
Cassian only chuckled.
The deep sound was low and warm, carrying none of his usual coldness. He simply tightened his arm around her waist once more and guided her farther into the ballroom as though nothing unusual had happened.
The entire hall erupted.
"Oh my God... did Cassian Han just kiss a woman in public?"
"Isn't that Juliet?"
"That's the first woman he's ever brought to an event."
"I've attended Han Industries auctions for years. I've never seen him with a date."
"They look incredible together."
"Juliet is absolutely stunning tonight."
"Honestly, she looks so much happier now."
"You're right. She never looked this carefree when she was with Vincent."
"She practically glows beside Cassian."
"No wonder she left him."
