Beneath the Billionaire's Charm

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e tuxedo and with his meticulously styled dark hair, he was the perfect picture of elegance and wealth. As he glanced around, he noticed the gazes following him - some admiring,

wer, influence - these were second nature to him, woven into the fabric of his life as naturally as his morning espresso. At thirty-three, he'd long mastered the ar

at the edges. These events, which had once thrilled him, now left him vaguely restless. Maybe it was the monotony, the hollow a

ay the nagging sense of disquiet. It didn't matter. Tonight,

The New

and he turned to see Lillian Everett, a longtime friend and soci

the kind that always seemed to spark a glint of d

cing him to new guests and old friends alike. Glasses of champagne flowed, laug

he sa

to be flattering without calling for attention. Her hair was swept back, leaving her features exposed, her expression serene and unyielding, as if she were observing the room wi

was more than that. It was her air of detachment, the way she se

ed to Lillian.

w. "Her? That's Evelyn Carter. She works in no

ured, intrigued. "And wha

a guest of the Whitmores. Old famil

r surge of adrenaline. "Let's ju

The First

o." As he approached, he caught a hint of her perfume, something floral but understated. It w

he asked, his voice

ition or excitement. "I'm enjoying the artwork," she replied, gestur

by her honesty. "Sebastian Knight," h

handshake firm and busi

rm seep into his tone, "tell me, if th

ome, and I thought it might be intere

used. "I assure you; thi

a smile playing at her lips. "This is

," he conceded. "

lding. "You don't strike me as the kind

nyone questioning his enjoyment of his

oking away. "Jus

unsettled, like she was seeing someth

4: The

is charms. He tried every trick he knew, but she remained polite and distant, refusing to be swept up

s like this?" she asked at on

d, attempting a nonchalant smile.

f it?" Her question was direct, cutti

hollow. "I care about some things," he said f

him further, but the loo

frustration. Evelyn had turned away his advances, her last words to him a simple, "Goodnight, Sebastian." No phon

know her, truly know her. And for the first time in a long time, S

: The A

imself distracted, his thoughts constantly drifting back to Evelyn. He couldn't shake the memory of her calm, questioning

, the flings, the endless rotation of names and faces. It all felt insubstantial, a routine he'd been following out of habi

cked up his phone and dial

icked up. "Do you have Evelyn

line, followed by a knowing chuckle. "Coul

unwilling to admit how muc

Lillian continued, "but she works for a nonprofit called Hope

he idea. "Good

she appreciate the gesture? Either way, he knew he had to try. For once in his life, Sebastian Kn

The First

tial one that would likely draw some attention. But as he completed the transaction, he felt a flicker of something unf

e him, not just his lifestyle or his wealth. Evelyn had stirred something wi

ase had only just begun, and for the first time in his life, Sebastian Kni