Chapter 6 Another "Battle"
Selena's POV
The plane ticket to Nevada is booked. I leave first thing tomorrow morning.
But tonight, I have another "battle" to fight.
I open my walk-in closet, passing by all those princess dresses covered in lace and diamonds that my mother prepared for me.
Those are for "Selena Hart," the good girl who needs to be sheltered under the family's halo.
But tonight, I'm not Selena.
I pull out a dust bag from the deepest part of the closet, unzip it, and a black battle outfit appears before my eyes.
I pull my hair up into a high ponytail, apply sharp makeup—black eyeliner, flame-red lips.
Finally, I take out the only piece from my jewelry box that's my own creation—a choker made of crushed diamonds and platinum, shaped like the Milky Way.
It fits tightly against my neck, cold and sparkling.
Tonight's party is the annual gala hosted by the Empire's largest luxury goods group. Everyone attending is either rich or powerful.
And I'm attending as the specially invited designer "Astraea."
An hour later, I appear at the entrance to the ballroom.
As expected, my arrival immediately causes a small stir.
"Oh my God, it's Astraea!"
"She actually came! I thought she never attended these public events!"
"Look at her design, it's gorgeous, that necklace... I'd trade my newest Birkin for it!"
I ignore those burning gazes mixed with jealousy and admiration, walking straight toward the host, the group's CEO, a French man in his sixties, Mr. Arnault.
"Astraea, my dear friend, your presence makes even Versailles pale in comparison."
He dramatically gives me an air kiss, though his eyes are full of a businessman's shrewdness.
"Mr. Arnault, your compliments are as delightful as ever." I smile slightly, picking up a glass of champagne from a waiter's tray.
"I hear you're working on a new collection? My clients have been blowing up my phone." He lowers his voice, trying to extract some information from me.
"Inspiration can't be rushed." I swirl the liquid in my glass.
I hate this kind of fake small talk, but as Astraea, it's part of my job.
I need to maintain my mystique and value.
Just as I'm dealing with wave after wave of wealthy people and socialites trying to get close to me, I feel an extremely aggressive gaze land on me.
That gaze isn't like the others, full of flattery and curiosity, but more like a lion observing its prey.
I follow the feeling and look over, my heart suddenly skipping a beat.
It's him.
Royce Sterling.
He's standing in the crowd not far away, holding a glass of whiskey, his gaze locked firmly on me.
He's changed out of his trench coat, wearing a custom-made navy blue suit that makes his figure look even more imposing.
That ridiculously handsome face is currently looking me up and down.
Why is this arrogant and rude man here?
Oh, right, the Sterling family is one of the major shareholders of this luxury goods group.
It's perfectly normal for him to be here.
I immediately look away, pretending I didn't see him.
I'm not in the mood today, and I don't have time to deal with this troublesome guy.
The mine situation has already made me irritated enough.
I turn around, wanting to find a quiet corner, but clearly, trouble has found me.
"Miss, haven't we met somewhere before?"
A deep, magnetic voice sounds behind me.
I don't even need to turn around to know it's Royce.
This pickup line is ridiculously cliché.
I slowly turn around, wearing Astraea's polite but distant smile.
"Sir, I think you've mistaken me for someone else. Using this approach with a lady is not a wise choice."
Royce's eyebrow raises slightly, as if surprised by my response.
He looks me up and down, his gaze finally stopping on the necklace around my neck, his eyes flickering.
"Is that so?"
Not only does he not back down, he takes a step closer. The distance between us is so close I can smell his expensive woody cologne mixed with a faint scent of whiskey.
"But I can't help feeling that your figure is very similar to a... remarkably skilled woman I met a few days ago."
My heartbeat skips a beat.
He recognized me?
No, impossible.
My appearance today is completely different from that day in the alley. He couldn't possibly connect the two images.
He's just testing me.
"Sir, you have quite an imagination."
I cool my expression, my tone carrying obvious displeasure. "If you have nothing else, excuse me."
With that, I turn to leave.
"Wait." He reaches out, trying to grab my arm, but I instinctively dodge sideways, making him grasp at air.
His movement freezes in mid-air, his eyes becoming even more penetrating, as if trying to see through me.
The music in the ballroom has somehow changed to a flowing waltz.
He withdraws his hand, making an impeccable invitation gesture toward me, the corner of his mouth curving into a confident smile.
"Since you think my pickup approach isn't wise, then may I have the honor of inviting the mysterious Miss Astraea to dance?"
As soon as he says this, everyone around us gasps.
I know what they must be thinking—Royce Sterling, the man who never dances with any female companion in public, is actually taking the initiative to invite someone.
And when I hear the name "Astraea" come out of his mouth, I finally confirm that he hasn't recognized me as Selena, but knows Astraea's identity.
This arrogant jerk who stood me up, made me wait forty-five minutes at the restaurant, got taught a lesson by me, and then still wanted to recruit me—now he wants to invite me to dance?
Who does he think he is?
The smile on his face is full of arrogant certainty, as if convinced I can't refuse.
After all, in the Empire's high society, refusing Royce Sterling's invitation is equivalent to publicly slapping his face.
And offending the Sterling family isn't a smart move for anyone who wants to survive in this circle.
Too bad I'm not just anyone.
The corner of my mouth curves up slightly. Instead of taking his outstretched hand, I hold my champagne glass and gently swirl the golden liquid inside.
"Mr. Sterling, your invitation is quite flattering."
His eyebrow raises slightly, as if saying "smart choice."
"But I have a principle—I never mix work with pleasure, and tonight for me..."
I elegantly raise my hand, gesturing around with my glass. "Is clearly work time."
As soon as I finish speaking, the smile on Royce's face freezes.
Perfect, that's exactly the effect I wanted.
Suppressed gasps come from the surrounding crowd.
"She actually refused him!"