Page 1 of King of Rage

Chapter 1 You're Such a Handsome Man

The sound of footsteps echoed through the luxurious restaurant, followed by the rhythmic click of heels against the marble floor.

Stella Gibson walked toward the private meeting room, her short skirt revealing her long legs while her casual T-shirt fitted her slender figure. Her fiery red hair fell loosely around her shoulders, framing her round face and soft features. There was something youthful about her appearance, yet the sharpness in her eyes and the confidence in her stride gave her a sensual edge.

As she approached the private dining room, a member of the staff opened the door for her.

Inside, an expansive dining table had been arranged for the evening, its polished surface adorned with elegant tableware, crystal glasses, and carefully prepared place settings. Everything about the room reflected the level of luxury expected by the clientele Stella had built her restaurant chain to serve.

Over the past year, she had expanded her business nationally, and the response had been far more enthusiastic than she had anticipated. Her café chain, Licius, had gained considerable attention online, particularly for their signature cakes, and business was booming.

But success came with its own demands.

With every new opportunity came another decision, another expansion plan, and another problem waiting to be solved. Stella had barely given herself time to breathe.

The moment she stepped into the room, every conversation came to an abrupt halt.

A dozen pairs of eyes turned toward her.

Investors involved in the expansion of her business watched as she made her way toward her seat. Then, one of the men leaned back in his chair, a teasing smile spreading across his face.

“Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence. We were beginning to wonder if Miss Gibson had forgotten about our little gathering.”

A few people chuckled.

Stella merely smiled, unfazed by the attention. She walked toward her seat, slipped her purse onto the table beside her, and pulled out the chair.

“Sorry I'm late. There was a problem with my car.”

“Car trouble or boy trouble?” a woman asked from a few seats away.

She lifted an eyebrow, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.

Stella paused before sitting down and glanced in her direction.

The woman rested her chin lightly against her hand, clearly enjoying herself.

“Come on, Stella. You're already thirty. Surely, you must have a boyfriend by now.” She leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. “When are you finally going to introduce him to us?”

A round of laughter traveled around the table.

Before Stella could respond, the man sitting across from her shook his head.

“That's impossible. As far as I know, Miss Gibson hasn't been in a relationship in years.”

He picked up his glass, a knowing smile tugging at his mouth.

“I've even heard rumors about her. Apparently, she's an impenetrable wall. No one gets close to her unless she wants them to.”

“That's because she's too busy making money to fall in love,” someone else remarked.

The man across from Stella chuckled.

“Exactly. She's brilliant, intimidating, and far too sharp for most men to approach. By the time they gather enough courage to speak to her, she's probably already left the party.”

The woman beside him laughed.

“Then perhaps it's time someone finally broke through that wall.”