Author's note: this is from Duke's point of view

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"Drago Orsini…", a female voice got my attention. "You are here."

"Hi, Kim…", I greeted the woman I identified as Kimberly, Magda's friend.

"How come you are sitting at the bar?", she asked.

"Should I be sitting somewhere else?"

Kim inched closer and asked in a half-whisper, "Didn't the staff at the door tell you to go to a suite?"

Just as expected. Magda's friends, and probably everyone else knew that I'm coming and that I should be in the suite. Predictable.

Even Serina guessed that Magda will give me a special treatment which told me that Serina was doing a background check on Magda.

Sanya was timid and would avoid trouble at any cost, yet Serina ended up investigating the woman who plotted against her and is planning a payback.

It's not that I blame Serina, one should always know his enemies and deal with them, but I could see changes that happened to Serina in my absence.

Each of Serina's changes reminds me that she endured hardships because I failed to protect her and it's eating me from the inside, like a voice that whispers about my failures.

"The invitation said there is a big birthday party, and the party is here. Why would I go to a suite? If I wanted privacy, I would stay home or opt for something smaller. I really like it here. The music is good, and there is plenty of people. How about you join me for a drink? What will you have?"

Kim's eyes flashed with panic like I just suggested a death sentence. She took a step away from me. "No need. I'm fine, thanks. I need to check on other guests."

Kim eyed me warily for a moment and then left.

I knew that if she accepted, Magda would skin her alive.

It's not that Kim was not interested, but she wouldn't dare to join me in public. In private, it would be a different thing.

Now that Kim confirmed I have no intention of going upstairs, Magda will come down soon.

I glanced at my phone. Still no message from Serina.

I was missing her like crazy and my mind started coming with all kinds of scenarios. What if something happened? What if Serina can't come? What if she changed her mind? What if she decided to leave me here on my own?

Calm down! Serina said that she will be here around seven o'clock, and it's not seven yet.

I ordered another drink when a man approached me.

"Drago Orsini…", he said before introducing himself, "Stephen Dyson. I'm a reporter for the London's Beat. Do you mind if we have a word?"

I had no idea who this man is, but I heard about London's Beat, a gossip magazine.

"Will you publish what I say?"

The man shrugged. "It depends on what you will say."

These guys are like vultures, always looking for their next scoop, but at least he was sensible enough to introduce himself. "What do you want to know?"

His eyes lit up and I could see a recorder in his hand.

"You are known as a man who doesn't attend parties for social purposes. Does your presence confirm you are close to Miss Magdalena Thompson?"

Straight to the point. It seems that with all these high-profile people present, he doesn't have the luxury of time to beat around the bush.

"It's interesting that you asked me that first. Did you have this question ready?"

He touched his nose. "I heard people talking that you will be here. The rumors about you and Miss Thompson are not a secret, yet nothing is confirmed. Would you like to use this opportunity and clarify your relationship? It will reduce the amount of guesswork I need to do." His sly smile told me that he will mention me and Magda in the same sentence, regardless of if I talk about it.

"Miss Thompson was kind enough to invite me. As you said, I usually don't attend these parties. However, there is a number of individuals present tonight that I would like to talk to."

"Are you saying that you are not in a relationship with Miss Thompson?"

I looked at him like he asked something silly. "I am not. Never was. Never will be. Feel free to quote me on that."

He licked his lips in a rush, obviously pleased with this information. I wondered if he will dare to publish something that can go against the Miss of the Thompson family.

"But the rumors…"

I lifted my hand, stopping him from talking. "Other than attending the same high school as Miss Thompson, we don't have anything else in common. Yes, I am acquainted with the lady in question, and we were on the same guestlist for several events, but it never went beyond that. I have no idea who is spreading these malicious rumors. I don't mind, you know how it is for us guys, but lady's reputation shouldn't be smeared." I inched closer to the reporter and lowered my voice. "Everyone knows how the Giantshade Industries handles people who are in their way, and I suspect that the source of rumors might be my competitors who want to get me in trouble with the Thompson family in order to damage my business."

The guy nodded knowingly.

I couldn't tell him that the source of the rumors is Magda herself. Maybe he knows that already, but he would never publish that. However, if he spins the story to how my competitors are trying to use the Thompson family to pressure my business, maybe the Thompson family does the opposite to prove how they can't be manipulated, and my Eclipse could gain some benefits.

"So, Mr. Orsini, you just confirmed that you are not in a relationship with Miss Thompson. She is young and attractive, and the word is that she is interested in you. Considering your lack of enthusiasm related to Miss Thompson, does that mean there is another lady you set your eyes on?"

I could feel my lips lifting into a smile and I responded with a nod.

"Oh? And who might that be?"

"Stick around and you will find out.", I said mysteriously.

The reporter nodded and left me with my drink.

Serina was right. This will be the perfect venue to announce we are together.

The only unpredictable factor is Magda. I could already see her throwing a fit, but I hope that she will care enough for her image of the perfect socialite, and not cause a scene.

"Drago, it's difficult to find you outside the office.", Sebastian Hoffman said as he took a seat on the barstool next to me. He waved at the waiter and ordered his drink.

I looked at the cocky guy who dared to insinuate there is something between him and Serina.

"Hi, Seb. It's a big party so I thought of checking it out.", I said dryly.

"Yeah. Most of the London is here.", Sebastian responded.

I don't like him for hitting on Serina, but other than that, Sebastian is a decent guy.

"Say, is it true that the guestlist leaked and people knew in advance who all will be here?"

Sebastian shook his head. "I didn't hear about that. But I heard that you are coming."

"I RSVP'd only this afternoon because I was not sure if I will make it. The news definitely spreads fast."

"I know you are not ignorant. It was Kim and Anna who made sure everyone knows, and they did that under Magda's orders, sooo...", Sebastian drawled. "Magda is probably planning another rumor and this time you might end up in a forced marriage.", he spoke jokingly.

Everyone sees Magda as a harmless, willful heiress, but I know that she is much worse than that. Magda is a criminal.

"Let's see how tonight ends.", I said while glancing at my phone that vibrated with Serina's text that she is two minutes away, and joyful anticipation swelled inside me.

"You are playing with fire, man."

"Me?", I asked with an exaggerated surprise. "I heard that you attended an event hosted by the Giantshade Industries and you danced with Seraphina Mezzanotte after snatching her from under Jonathan's nose. That's what I call playing with fire."

Sebastian smirked. "What can I say? She is worth the risk." His smile faded. "Serina told me that the two of you are childhood friends. Is that true? Can you tell me something about her likes and dislikes?"

I felt my lips twitching in annoyance. Is this guy asking me for tips on how to win over Serina?

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