Damian Carter rarely entertained guests in his home, not because he lacked connections, but because most of them were unnecessary.
Tonight, however, was different.
The atmosphere in his private lounge was relaxed, the low hum of jazz blending seamlessly with the quiet clink of expensive glassware. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed the city lights stretching endlessly into the night, a reminder of the empire they all controlled in one way or another.
These weren't just friends.
They were men and one woman who shaped industries.
"Still the same old Damian," Adrian Wolfe said, leaning back comfortably, one arm resting over the leather couch. "You build empires, close billion-dollar deals, and yet… your personal life is completely nonexistent."
Adrian Wolfe was the kind of man who made headlines without trying. He had taken over his father's tech empire and transformed it into a global digital infrastructure giant cloud systems, cybersecurity, even AI-driven data brokerage. If information was power, Adrian owned half of it.
Damian didn't respond immediately. He simply took a slow sip of his drink, his expression unreadable.
Jane was the next to speak, crossing her legs elegantly as she studied him. "It's actually concerning at this point," she said lightly. "Even machines need maintenance, Damian. You don't rest, you don't socialize… and clearly, you don't date."
Jane wasn't just anyone either. She owned one of the most influential luxury fashion chains in the country, her boutique brand had grown into a global name, dressing celebrities, politicians, and high-profile elites. She understood presentation, image and people.
"I don't have the time," Damian said finally, his voice calm, detached. "And when I do, it will be handled."
A small silence followed.
Then Lucien scoffed.
"Handled?" he repeated, amused. "What is it, a merger? Acquisition? You plan to schedule a wife between board meetings?"
That drew a few quiet chuckles from the room.
Lucien Laurent was old money refined with modern ambition. His family dominated the energy sector, oil, gas, and now renewable transitions. If there was power in infrastructure, Lucien controlled a significant portion of it.
Damian didn't react to the teasing.
"Well," Jane said, leaning forward slightly, her tone shifting into something more deliberate, "you will never have the time if you keep acting like this."
Damian glanced at her, uninterested but listening.
"Let's help you out."
Adrian raised a brow, clearly entertained. "And how exactly do you intend to help a man who barely tolerates people?"
Jane smiled, a knowing kind of smile. "I have a friend," she said. "She's not just anyone, she's intelligent, composed, and more importantly, she understands this world."
Damian's gaze returned to his glass.
"I'm not searching," he cut in flatly.
Jane didn't miss a beat. "You're not searching," she agreed smoothly. "But that doesn't mean you're not lacking."
That caught his attention.
For a brief second, his eyes lifted to meet hers, sharp and warning.
But Jane wasn't intimidated.
"Relax," she said softly. "I'm not trying to set you up like some desperate bachelor. I'm simply suggesting… an introduction."
Damian said nothing.
Adrian leaned forward slightly, intrigued now. "And this 'friend' of yours… what does she do?"
Jane's smile widened just a little. "Her family runs a private equity firm with international influence. But she doesn't rely on that. she built her own name in corporate law. High profile negotiations, confidential contracts… the kind of woman who can sit in a room like this and not feel out of place."
Lucien let out a low whistle. "So you're bringing a weapon, not a woman."
"Exactly," Jane replied.
There was a brief pause before Lucien straightened, suddenly realizing something.
"Wait," he said, narrowing his eyes. "How am I involved in this?"
Jane turned to him innocently. "Because I'll invite her to your birthday party."
Lucien blinked. "Who said I'm throwing a party?"
Jane scoffed lightly. "You always do."
Adrian chuckled. "She's right. You pretend to hate attention, then throw the most exclusive event of the year."
Lucien exhaled, shaking his head. "Unbelievable."
But he didn't deny it.
Jane clapped her hands softly, satisfied. "Perfect. Then it's settled."
Damian finally spoke again, his tone quieter this time, but firmer.
"You're all making decisions without my consent."
Adrian smirked. "Relax. No one's forcing you to marry her. Just show up, have a drink, and try not to scare her away in five minutes."
Lucien added dryly, "Though that part might be unavoidable."
A faint hint of amusement flickered across Damian's face, so brief it could've been imagined.
But deep down, something about the conversation lingered.
Not interest.
Not curiosity.
Just… awareness.
And for a man like Damian Carter, even that was rare.
The next morning came quieter than the night before.
Sunlight filtered through the tall glass windows of the Carter mansion, casting a soft glow across the polished marble floors. The house, usually silent and controlled, carried a rare sense of calm.
Jason walked downstairs slowly, his hair slightly messy, his expression unreadable. The events of the past few days still lingered in his mind, though he refused to dwell on them.
As he stepped into the kitchen, he paused.
Damian stood by the counter, sleeves rolled up, carefully pouring coffee into two cups.
Jason raised a brow slightly.
That… was unexpected.
"I was about coming to wake you," Damian said without turning, his voice calm, almost casual.
Jason didn't respond immediately. He simply walked further in, watching his brother for a moment as if trying to understand what version of him he was dealing with today.
Damian slid one of the cups toward him.
"I'm sorry about how I spoke to you the other day," he continued. "And… about everything that happened."
Jason took the cup but didn't drink.
"You'll heal," Damian added, quieter this time. "I've been there before. That's why I don't let my guard down anymore."
For a brief second, there was something human in his voice. Something real.
Jason noticed it.
But it didn't soften him.
"That's fine," he said flatly. "I've gotten over her." The lie sat comfortably on his tongue.
He walked past Damian, heading toward the kitchen island, clearly uninterested in continuing the conversation.
Damian studied him briefly but didn't push.
"Well," he said after a pause, "Lucien asked me to invite you to his birthday party. It's happening at World City Lounge this weekend."
That caught Jason's attention.
He turned slightly, a hint of life returning to his expression.
"God, I wish Lucien was my brother instead," he muttered as he stepped closer and picked up the second cup of coffee.
Damian didn't react immediately. He simply picked up his phone from the counter.
"Well," he said dryly, "looks like you're quite unfortunate. I'm your brother."
Jason scoffed lightly but didn't argue.
There was a brief silence before he spoke again.
"Can I invite my friends?"
Damian glanced at him, already halfway toward the living area.
"Yes," he said simply. Then, after a slight pause, he added, "Aside from the one who sneaked into my room the other day."
Jason frowned slightly.
"I don't think I like her."
And just like that, he walked out, already answering a call, his tone shifting back into the cold, controlled businessman everyone knew.
Jason stood there for a moment, staring at nothing in particular.
Then suddenly
His fingers moved fast over his phone.
Group Chat: Chaos Crew 🥴🔥
Jason:
Guys, there's this birthday party I want us all to go to. I promise it'll be fun.
Almost instantly,
Cole:
Will there be rich ladies?
Jason smirked.
Daniel:
Let's not forget Maya needs a rich boyfriend too.
Maya:
Talking about me in my absence should be punishable under the law 😒
Jason, will I get a rich boyfriend?
If yes, I'm coming. If no… I'm still coming 😂
Jason chuckled under his breath.
Janaya:
😂😂 where's the venue?
I want to take my social life seriously this year.
Timothy:
So you people just started planning without me??
What are we wearing??
Jason leaned back against the counter, typing with a lazy grin.
Jason:
I'm thinking of wearing a Spider-Man costume.
Maya:
Perfect. I'll come as Wonder Woman
Janaya:
No one wants to join me in a Power Rangers costume? 🥺
Daniel:
I'll be the villain. I already have experience.
Cole:
I think I should order my hammer now I'll just do Thor.
Timothy:
Guys, I asked a simple question.
Jason could almost hear his frustration through the screen.
Timothy:
What are we actually wearing??
There was a brief pause.
Then,
Daniel:
Wear something suitable for a date or a birthday party, you moron.
Silence.
One by one, the chat went quiet as everyone drifted back to their day.
Jason stared at his screen for a moment longer, the faint smile on his face slowly fading.
For the first time since everything happened… his mind wasn't on Vivian.
It was on something else.
Something new.
The party.
Unpredictable.
Crowded.
Full of people from completely different worlds.
And somehow…
He had a feeling things weren't going to go as smoothly as they should.