Various eyes watched as Allea walked through the crowd following Nicholas Salvadge's assistant. Allea was walking straight, her posture calm yet imposing as she leisurely paced and people took a step forward or backward to give her path, but she never returned them a single glance. The crowd's attention suddenly once again was moved toward Allea, she stood at a single place till now, they were curious who she was going to greet, but seeing Nicholas Salvadge assistant, they understood. He must have called her -first he personally came to greet her and now requesting her- they never knew Allgaiers and Salvadges had this good relation.

Seemingly her face was impassive and one could scarcely see a little urge to turn around and run when her gaze fell on the people Nicholas Salvadge was talking to. Allea inwardly sighed, and suddenly her eyes caught the back of Elijah standing among the people he was going to work with, he too in that instant -after noticing the whispers and crowd's attention- turned and their eyes met. At first, Elijah was a little surprised seeing Allea, but soon he too noticed Mr. Salvadge's assistant and the dead face Allea gave him, a laugh escaped his lips, knowing too well how much she hates meeting people, and now someone finally forced her to do the same.

"I'm sorry, please continue," Elijah apologized to the esteemed men around him for his untimely laugh, he tried to take a sip from his drink to hide his smile and his eyes involuntarily followed the girl who now walked past them but not before narrowing her light-brown eyes at him -giving him a silent warning for daring to laugh at her state. Her action didn't go unnoticed by the men around Elijah.

"Is that Allea Ciarve?"

Elijah nodded at Nial Delton's inquisitive voice, he was one of the directors of Salvadge Manufactures, the company who was going to sponsor him this year.

"I never thought she'd be this gorgeous, she should be a model, what's the point of doing boring business and wasting her beauty." His tone was cocky yet amusing, a mix of making-fun-compliment and deeming her. Elijah raised a brow at his words -his smile was nowhere to be seen- even other men also gave a little laugh and agreed except for one.

"Well, next time say this on her face."

Elijah gave a short comment, his tone was plain, neither angry nor offended. Elijah knew no matter what they say, they'll never be the same on Allea's face because they know she'll put them in their place and he doesn't need to defend her, she can do that herself too well. Elijah's well aware that many people are just bitter, that out of nowhere a young girl came and crossed their years of work so they have to vent it out by saying a thing or two behind her back.

Nial Delton was no different, although he works with Salvadge Manufactures, his family business was of Textile Industry, a quite famed one. Being a competitive young man, he has also worked with his father in past years, and in front of his eyes -the company who hardly reached theirs- crossed them and its turnover reached where they can't even imagine. Like others, he too was eager to know how Allea Ciarve did this and but that girl never placed anyone in her eyes. So hearing Elijah's words, his smile stiffened and men around them also coughed ineptly.

To ease the tension in the air, although he has heard of Elijah's Cohan friendship with her but still inquired, "-ahm- You're friend with Miss Ciarve?"

Elijah merely nodded, giving him a blank look.

"Very well, I hope you didn't find my appreciation offensive," Nial implied, hinting that he praised Allea looks but forgetting that he also judged her profession.

Elijah shrugged, looking straight at him, he retorted, "I didn't but she may not appreciate your words about her choices."

Nial sealed his lips, if not for Elijah telling her, she wouldn't even know but he didn't say anything and considered it best to just drop this. For him it was just a joke, not considering the fact not everyone's blind enough to nod along with his every word, especially Elijah Cohan, he should have thought before commenting on Allea Ciarve in front of him, he knew how much hard it was for even Salvadge Manufactures to sign Elijah Cohan for their car's launch in the race. So changing the topic was the best option, therefore, he again brought the focus back on the discussion of the car and its launch.

The man who stood quietly throughout the whole exchange -not taking any part in it just watching- Aris Salvadge. Although his face was indifferent, only if looked closely then one could discern a light of interest shining in his eyes as he with a slight tilt of his head peeked just a few steps far at the girl dressed in white greeting royalties and other people.

In a much secluded and peaceful corner separated from the rest of the party, around a wooden table, some were sitting on the chairs chatting with each other while others were doing it standing, including the most influential people and royalties all around the world. They also couldn't help but glance at Allea, her composure didn't even waver slightly, they were used to people getting intimidated and nervous around them, but standing in between them, this young girl stood confidently and even apologized for lacking proper manners of meeting royals but still kept her stance proud and high.

"Miss. Ciarve, It's good to meet you, it's always a pleasure to exchange thoughts with young minds." It was the Minister of Dubai, a man in his sixties, after greeting others he was the only one to initiate the conversation with Allea.

Allea gave him light smile and responded, "It's my pleasure too."

"I have heard about you from Ikhram brothers, and I have rarely seen them appreciate someone." He mentioned Allgaier Corporation's Dubai hotel chain collaboration, which was quite successful in Dubai being it a spot of tourism it was well-known around the world.

"Yes, it was an honor working with them." Sharing some words with him, another businessman piqued interest in Allea and came forward to talk, if observed from outside the scene looked quite peculiar. In a party, where a young girl standing between middle-aged men, talking professionally, she kept her words short & precise but not disrespectful and her trained smile didn't leave her lips. To say they were quite impressed with her would be not wrong, they were people who everyone dies to have a chance of a word with, but Allea even refrained to use extra words, and not once she offered her card or some source to have contact with them after the party, from her attitude it clear she was ceremoniously meeting them without any deeper motives.

Nicholas Salvadge who stood at the side, talking with some of his subordinates, had a slight smile as he noticed Allea's behavior. He was right, she truly knows what to do when, he has rarely seen a cunning and upright girl like her. He still remembers seeing her for the first time, a sixteen-year-old standing in front of them with confidence and determination, and now, her twenty-two years-old self, achieving everything she promised, not once stopping. He has witnessed her growth with his own eyes, his own daughter, just a few years younger than Allea, where she had difficulty in choosing what dress to wear, Allea was deciding what project to invest in. Although he loves his daughter unconditionally and he has an accomplished son but he always wanted a daughter like Allea, standing proud & strong on her own.

He knew it was a little unfair, a party where everyone was enjoying, having fun, women, and men having a light discussion about business & sometimes about each other. While he called Allea here, among the old men, talking about her & their investments and projects. Nicholas just wanted Allea to expand her contacts, he knows how handy they are in the business world, so he knew she won't deny him in front of others. He never understood why this girl was so against having personal associations but a part of him also praised her for this. He, who has worked with Odgen Allgaier, knew what kind of man he was, but Allea was the complete opposite of him, Odgen was known to be a good pleaser, that was his talent he learned in the business world.

He sometimes wondered how Odgen got so lucky to have a stepdaughter like her, whose father won't be proud to have a daughter like her. And the way she has shielded Kai from the eyes of the world, people may think different negative things about her relationship with her brother, but Nicholas Salvadge knew how honest she was and without a doubt, she will protect him selflessly as long as she can.

After a while, he saw Allea politely excusing herself, with a reason of getting something to drink. With a smile, he excused himself too from whom he was talking to and walked toward her, he stopped a waiter, "What would you like Allea?"

Allea faced him, her professional smile dropped and she looked dead at him, "I would like to be left alone Mr. Salvadge."

Nicholas Salvadge gave a hearty laugh, seeing the young woman annoyed, "How about I make this up to you by introducing you to some men of your age?"

Although she understood the hidden meaning behind his words, still mocked, "To talk more about business? I do that all the time. I'm here to be a part of your happiness not to talk futile things."

A genuine smile appeared on the old man's face as he heard Allea's words, he also knew she was one of the rare people, who were here for this reason. Therefore, not deciding to force her further, "I'm honored, then I guess I should leave you to enjoy the party."

She finally smiled toward him and with that, they once again parted their ways in the party, and Allea -with a thankful light sigh- retreated toward her safe place but not before getting hindered again.

"I was looking forward to seeing you here."

Allea halted in her steps, she was quietly pacing through the crowd, not considering that someone will be stubborn enough to stop her. But this voice -she remembers. Even after all these years Allea still didn't forget her voice -Lisa Delton.

Allea turned her head to meet the eyes of the girl and spoke monotonously, "Well, I wasn't."

Lisa Delton -the daughter of the famed Textile Industrialist, just a few months ago after she graduated from university, she has stepped into the world of glam and started her career as a model. Allea attended high school with her, not so a memorable time of Allea's life. Lisa Delton was dressed in a body-fit floor-length green sparkly gown, the crystal embellishments made her dress extravagant and the strap cut showing the outline of her cleavage gave an enhance to her model-ideal body. Her waist-length dyed chestnut ombre hair open, her distinctive almost perfect features made her stood out the most.

When she called Allea, her voice was neither excited nor detestable. But when Allea turned to face her, she recognized the familiar marginalized look in her eyes. Instead of taking offense to Allea's words, Lisa Delton gave an ambiguous smile.

"I don't mind, it's been years since we last saw each other."

Allea fully turned to face her, her one hand in her pants pockets -giving a careless touch- contradicting the focused look on her face like she was trying hard to remember something, "Yeah about that, who are you again?"

This time Lisa Delton couldn't keep the friendly smile on her face and her face hardened, hearing that the girl in front of her was asking her name, but noticing that people around them were monitoring their conversation, she pursed her lips and pronounced with assertion, "Lisa Delton."

Listening to her name, "Oh," exclaimed Allea with a nod & a realization-drawn face and added with a light chuckle, "As you said it's been years and years are enough to forget insignificant people."

Allea could notice the little urge that Lisa Delton controlled to scream at her. Lisa gritted her teeth, her eyes moved toward the spectators who also gave her mocking laugh, it was no shock for them that Allea Ciarve doesn't know about some model and textile industrialist's daughter, there were other businessmen successful than them who were not acknowledged by Allea, so it was obvious she couldn't recall who Lisa Delton was.

Allea looked straight in her eyes and enjoyed the rage that passed through her eyes, then spoke after a moment, "See you around, Miss Delton."

As Allea turned around, she shook her head as one does to pat some dust off, she was doing to forget her existence again. Before Allea could reach the bar again, Elijah caught up with her, he was trying hard not to laugh out loud at the sour face Allea gave him as she noticed him approaching.

"Your face tells me all, no need to explain."

"It was so boring, I swear, all they talked about was the company's investments like I know, I did them." Allea still complained, thinking about the time she had to talk about monotonous things with middle-aged men.

After laughing quietly, "Let's just stand here and eat something, I think the Salvadges are about to make the announcement," he pointed toward the buffet table and a secluded pillar area.

"I never realized parties can be this mentally exhausting, I can choose sleepless nights of work over this any time."

Elijah gave another one of his beguiling smiles and they appeared before the buffet. Although the food looked appetizing, somehow Allea got bored of the party and wasn't in high spirits so she took a rich chocolate truffle, Elijah also followed her lead and they stood eating in the corner, ignoring the curious eyes turning from time to time to look at them.

"Remember when I mentioned Nial Delton?" Elijah asked, at which Allea looked at him and nodded, "Do you know him?"

Lowering her brows after a -another-Delton-annoyed- look, she gave a half-shrug, "Kind of, did he say something?"

"Said, you should be a model."

Hearing his words, she snickered, "He wants me to compete with his sister instead of his business," She commented and then added -assuming that he must have said something else too-, "Don't mind his words, he's an a-hole kind of guy, a Delton so can't help it, just ignore."

Elijah looked straight at Allea, not expecting her to actually know him, as far as he knows she has never met him, "How do you know about everyone?"

"That my friends, is a quality of good businessman, knowing about everyone without actually knowing them." Allea gloated, and with a smug face patted his shoulder like telling him -you'll also learn with time.

"Right."

Finally, the moment arrived what they were waiting for and Nicholas Salvadge stepped on the stairs, with a mike in his hands, on his left side was his wife, and on right was his children. The whole hall moved their focus toward them, as he first showed his gratitude to the guests for coming and then proceeded toward the big announcement of his retirement and giving his companies in his son's capable hands. When he ended his speech, with a huge smile, he took his wife's hand for the dance, and soon everyone else joined them.

When the dance began, the women dressed in gorgeous gowns, started sending coquettish glances to the man who remained standing on the stairs, his eyes moving around the hall, they were hoping his black eyes to stop on them and be chosen for the dance but they didn't. As if he found what he was looking for, the first change occurred in his expressions as his lips curled slightly, and a sinister look flashed through his eyes. The hall once again fell in silence, as they followed the movements of the man, he imposingly stepped down from the stairs and walked straight.

Every eye was eager to know in front of whom he would stop, there were a lot of models and movie stars, will he share his first dance with one of them? No one has ever heard any news of seeing Aris Salvadge with any woman, and who wouldn't like to have contact with him, he was one of the powerful and richest among them, and soon he'll be on even more heights, a single glance from him was once in a lifetime opportunity.

On the other side, two friends finally heaved a sigh of relief with the thought of getting out of the party, Allea took out her phone and were texting Ben and Nayla while Elijah was also calling his driver. Both unbothered entities failed to notice the quietness that once again fell around them and considering it good, they walked out behind the crowd which was now gathered around the center, and left the main hall.

Allea -so eased with the thought of finally leaving the party- that she failed to notice the dark eyes that followed her every moment until she was out of sight.