The Apex Investors Gala was nothing short of breathtaking.
Held in the heart of Imperial City's most exclusive district, the gala took place in the illustrious 'Obsidian Pearl', a luxury event hall rumored to have cost over 500 million dollars to construct.
The walls were adorned with polished black onyx imported from the mines of the Apex coast, and the floors were made of pure Calacatta Gold marble, each slab worth tens of thousands on its own.
The vaulted ceilings were laced with hand-painted frescoes by a renowned artist, and suspended from the center was a chandelier crafted entirely from conflict-free diamonds and Swarovski crystals—an architectural marvel valued at over twenty million dollars.
Every table shimmered under golden lighting, draped with silk cloths threaded with real silver embroidery. The cutlery was 24-karat gold-plated, and each wine glass was made of hand-blown Venetian glass, sparkling under the ambient glow like crystal stars. Soft classical music poured from a grand piano in the corner, played live by a world-class pianist whose hourly rate could buy a small yacht.
The space buzzed with an electric mix of opulence and power. Billionaire investors, venture capital giants, royal dignitaries, oil tycoons, and tech moguls strolled through the crowd with champagne flutes in hand, dressed in tailored suits worth more than most people's yearly salaries. The women were visions of elegance—draped in couture gowns sewn with real pearls, emeralds, and custom fabrics flown in from different parts of the world.
Zara took in a deep breath taking in the rich scent of the room—an aromatic blend of oud, sandalwood, and white jasmine, diffused through a filtration system custom-designed for high-end venues to subtly enhance the air quality while whispering prestige.
The high table overlooked the grandeur of the gala like a throne above a ballroom.
She was seated at the edge, her posture poised, her expression unreadable beneath the soft gleam of the overhead chandelier. She wore a midnight blue gown that kissed her curves like molten silk, paired with a diamond necklace that Kai had gifted her for the event.
In fact, her entire outfit was sponsored by him today.
She smiled as she thought of the gesture, and the weird moment they shared the previous day.
Even though Kai was not there currently, he urged her to sit next to his position for "diplomatic" purposes.
There wouldn't have been much of a difference if Kai was present though. Zara still didn't like him, especially due to the fact that he had left her high and dry. And she certainly didn't like the uneasy glances her supposed guests were giving her.
The sense of loneliness hit her like a moving train. She had invited Bertha, but her best friend couldn't come due to some outstanding work.
Truthfully, this was her first experience with a gathering this big and varied. Before this, she had only ever escorted her father to his business meetings which, while on their own were huge, did not come close to what she was witnessing today.
There was no chatter of small talk, only quiet negotiations, discreet power plays, and the glint of ambition in every pair of calculating eyes. The atmosphere felt almost surreal, like walking through a live painting of wealth and influence, each guest a brushstroke of legacy and control.
This wasn't just a gala—it was a gathering of those who ruled empires from behind closed doors.
And Zara's position today might've marked her as the second most important person among hundreds of powerful individuals.
The most important being Kai Frost, of course.
Zara's careful eyes scanned the crowd of bourgeois, carefully picking out each face and wondering if it belonged to a Blake.
Unfortunately, she couldn't find any of those snakes here.
She would've loved to see the look on their faces when they spotted her at the high table.
She sighed.
She would just have to cope with the curious glances she got her way.
A faint murmur from the crowd caused her to glance to the side just as Kai Frost made his entrance.
He looked lethal in a tailored black tuxedo—sharp lapels, a crisp white shirt, and a cufflink glinting with obsidian stones. His every step exuded danger veiled in class. Whispers followed him like perfume. Even in this room full of billionaires, Kai Frost stood out like a panther in a cage full of prize lions.
He didn't acknowledge anyone else as he made his way to the high table, rounding it with silent steps until he reached her.
Without a word, he pulled out the empty seat beside her and sat, his presence instantly shifting the energy around them. Zara kept her eyes forward.
Then, he leaned in, his lips brushing just near her ear, his voice low and smooth like velvet over a dagger.
"Behave tonight, Zara," he whispered. "I have eyes on me."
Zara's gaze flicked sideways. "That's supposed to mean something to me?"
He smirked, unfazed. "It should. Some very powerful men are watching tonight. Potential investors. They want to see strength. Legacy. Influence." He paused, then added with quiet finality, "They want to see me with a woman who looks like she could run an empire—and slit a throat if she had to."
Zara arched a brow, folding one leg over the other slowly.
Was this man expecting her to be his partner-in-crime now?
"This wasn't part of the contract!" She retorted.
She expected a colder reaction, but Kai smiled ever so lightly, an expression that Zara had come to hate.
"Which is why I'm not telling you, Zara. I'm asking. And of course, doing this well would get rid of me sooner."
Zara turned her head, a bit puzzled.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Making you sign a contract to be by my side wasn't because I took an interest in you." He told her coldly.