River City, Seaview Grand Hotel.

Sophia Summers stood there in a luxurious, low‑key crystal gown, her makeup flawless, her waist cinched just enough to show off that delicate curve, her collarbones glowing under the soft lights like refined jade.

All the spotlights focused on her. Sophia dropped to one knee in front of a young man, a ring in her right hand, her expression serious, almost devotional.

“Sebastian Knight, if you’re willing, then today becomes our engagement party.”

She was bold, stunning, breathtaking to the point of cruelty. And she wasn’t just any beauty—she was the eldest daughter of the Summers Group, holding fifteen percent of the company’s shares in her own name.

But despite how touching the scene *should’ve* been, the banquet hall was dead silent. Every guest wore the same look—shock mixed with absolute disbelief.

Who would’ve guessed that the groom‑to‑be was standing off to the side with a face darker than storm clouds, watching Sophia Summers propose to another man?

“What’s happening? Where did that guy come from? Wasn’t she supposed to get engaged to Damien Allen? How did it turn into her proposing to someone else?”

“Right? I heard from someone that he’s just a barista up in the north side of River City, but because of his looks he’s had all kinds of rich women spending money on him.”

“No wonder. If he can win over Sophia Summers, he probably doesn’t care about anyone else.”

Whispers spread fast, mixed with a few mocking laughs.

Everyone’s gaze locked onto the man.

That face was unfair—stunning to the point of unreal. Deep, hazy eyes, straight nose, thin lips, every feature perfectly balanced, like God accidentally dropped His favorite artwork onto earth.

Just by the way Sophia stared at him, anyone could see how dangerously captivating he was.

Yet faced with her earnest proposal, Sebastian’s expression barely shifted. His brows dipped slightly, a touch of restrained impatience hidden in the look.

He had rushed here only because he received word that the Ghost Doctor, Evil Fang, was supposed to show up today. Never in a million years did he expect Sophia to suddenly propose to him.

“Sebastian, as long as you agree—house, car, savings, even shares—I can give you everything.”

Seeing he was about to refuse, Sophia blurted out her promise in a hurry.

House, car, savings… even shares!

The crowd instantly lost their composure. Staring at his face, a mess of emotions churned inside every onlooker.

"Yeah, he’s definitely good-looking."

"But so what? Bet he won’t even make it through the Summers family’s front door."

Hearing all that pointless gossip, Sophia Summers frowned. If Sebastian Knight actually took those old-timers’ words to heart and got hurt, she’d never forgive herself.

Her face chilled instantly. She snapped at the crowd, her voice sharp as a whip. "Shut up."

Then she turned back to Sebastian with a soft, almost tender smile.

"Baby, I don’t want you thinking I’m being impulsive or forcing you. Take your time, okay?"

She might act carefree on normal days, but proposing to a man? First time ever. Her nerves were buzzing, mixed with a weird little thrill.

Even though Sebastian looked bored and fed up with everything, every tiny change in his expression felt like a gift to her—just too gorgeous to look away from.

Before Sebastian could say a word, Damien Allen behind her stepped forward, face dark as storm clouds. He squeezed out her name bit by bit.

"Sophia. Summers."

Sophia dropped her gentle expression instantly, glancing back at Damien like he was just background noise.

Big mistake. The moment she looked at him, she realized—even one strand of Sebastian’s hair was prettier. Her disgust overflowed.

"Alright, Damien, can you not stand here? You’re really hurting my eyes. And if you make Sebastian misunderstand something later, that’d be on you."

Back then, she’d chased Sebastian for ages and he still turned her down. Now he showed up at her engagement party? Obviously he hadn’t moved on from her.

Seeing her son’s “sure thing” slip right out of reach, Gloria Morrison couldn’t swallow her anger. She might be an open secret, but Sophia calling her boy ugly—and embarrassing her in public—was too much.

She stomped toward Sophia, wanting to argue properly. But the moment her eyes met Sophia’s, her confidence crumbled.

She mumbled, "Uh… Sophia, maybe there’s some misunderstanding? Today’s supposed to be your engagement party with Damien."

Sophia stood up smoothly, not flustered at all. "Engagement party? No, sweetie, this is a proposal banquet."

"Summer Summers, what’s so good about him? He’s just… trash. Is he really worth all this?"

Damien still didn’t want to let go. After all, Sophia Summers was River City’s number one heiress.

Even without saying a word, just standing there under the soft, warm lights, the man in front of her was enough to make everyone else fade into the background.

Sebastian Knight’s eyes were cool as they flicked toward Damien Allen, then shifted back to Sophia Summers with a shade of something unreadable.

“Homewrecker?”

!!!

He talked. Sebastian actually talked to her.

Sophia had chased after him for so long—this was literally the first time he’d spoken to her. Sure, it was about some nonsense others had said, but still… it meant he cared, even if just a little.

Sophia instantly stepped in front of Sebastian, shielding him like a fierce little guard dog, and shot Damien a glare sharp enough to cut glass.

“Damien, Sebastian is perfectly fine. He’s still innocent. You, on the other hand—dating me while collecting a whole bouquet of side chicks. And you’ve got the guts to stand here and bully my man?”

The reversal was so fast the crowd practically gasped in unison.

Before Damien could even begin to defend himself, the giant screen flared to life, and a dozen photos of Damien cuddling and clinging to various women played out one by one like a slideshow.

The guests erupted in whispers.

Damien’s face went black on the spot. Gloria Morrison’s voice shot up, shrill and panicked.

“They’re fake! All fake! Photoshopped! Don’t believe any of it!”

Sophia’s tone stayed icy and steady. Chin up, brows lifted, she glanced toward a certain spot below the stage with cool arrogance.

“Fake or not, why don’t we let Anastasia Bennett explain it herself?”

Because, yes—look closely at the photos, and even though the angles were sneaky, anyone who stared long enough could tell it was her.

Front row of the stage.

Anastasia didn’t flinch; she rose and walked up, every step confident.

“Yeah, that’s me. Anastasia Bennett owns what she does. I’m in the photos. But those other women? Never met them.”

She was, after all, the second daughter of the Bennett family—one of River City’s three major clans—and a top-tier celebrity with massive influence. Her feud with Sophia Summers was practically public knowledge across River City.

The crowd below burst into noise again.

Damien Allen had originally thought Anastasia Bennett stepped forward to publicly admit their relationship. That way, even if Sophia Summers slipped out of his hands, he’d still have something to hold on to.

But clearly… not.

His face went from gloomy to downright stormy.

“You’re Sebastian Knight, right? You’re seriously good‑looking. How about being my boyfriend? Anything Sophia can offer you, I can match.” Anastasia brushed her fingers through her hair, leaning forward just a bit, her posture practically dripping flirtation.

Damien froze like someone pulled the plug on his brain, dizziness washing over him.

Sophia frowned. Her man was too handsome for his own good—people kept eyeing him like he was free real estate.

“Not happening.”

Sebastian’s cool, clean voice sounded from behind her, and Sophia felt her whole spine soften. This guy was lethal.

“I’m not into competing with others.”

Not into competing? He didn’t say much, but Sophia instantly caught the hidden meaning.

She shot Anastasia a dismissive look, then turned toward Sebastian with absolute certainty in her tone.

“Sebastian, trust me. Damien and I are done. Completely done.”

Anastasia refused to back down.

“I’m also completely done with Damien.”