Raven didn't look up again. Her fingers continued moving across the keyboard.
"Why are you asking that?"
Aidan hesitated before answering.
"Your father is considering a marriage alliance with the Shahs."
Raven let out a short laugh.
"Impossible."
Her lips curved faintly.
"The Shah family is particular about their daughters-in-law. And besides…" she shrugged lightly, "this Atish—he's a notorious womaniser."
She leaned back in her chair.
"There are dozens of influential families connected to the Shahs. If he wanted to marry, he could have done it years ago. Yet he's still single."
Aidan watched her carefully while she spoke.
"You seem well informed," he said quietly.
Raven didn't deny it.
"He's indeed a genius," she said. "But geniuses often come with… quirks."
Then she closed her laptop halfway.
"If the Shahs ever accepted me," she added dryly, "I might consider accepting him."
She scoffed.
"And what are the odds of that?"
"Minus ten billion."
Aidan studied her expression.
"You sound confident."
Raven shrugged.
"In this matter?" she said calmly.
"No one can beat me." Outside the glass walls of the hotel, the city lights stretched endlessly into the night. Inside, Raven Zhao continued working as if nothing in the world could disturb her plans.
Aidan leaned back into the couch, his gaze lingering on her.
For someone so certain no one would ever choose her, she seemed strangely confident that she could refuse anyone.
His eyes remained fixed on her, his fingers idly turning the pen. He thought of the moment he first saw her—how effortlessly she had caught his attention, and how that impression had refused to fade.
Questions surfaced, one after another. He let none of them reach his lips.
She was no longer the girl he remembered.
Back then, she had been transparent—her heart and her words always aligned. Now, something in her had closed off, hidden beneath layers he couldn't read.
There was more to her than she allowed anyone to see.
'A cup of tea for the mister here.' The same deep voice echoed, and he straightened his back and stretched his neck, discomfort running in his veins.
"Raven, do you remember?" He asked, unable to bear her silence.
"No, I don't." The reply came in seconds.
"I didn't say what it was."
"Too busy for any nostalgic conversation." She sighed.
Aidan helplessly shut his mouth.