His Innocent wife

Night of Intrigue 1.

The Hart mansion buzzed with energy as guests arrived for the much-anticipated party. Wealthy businessmen, socialites, and influencers mingled beneath the glittering chandeliers, their conversations filling the grand ballroom with a symphony of murmurs and laughter. The evening was set to be a display of grandeur, a testament to James Hart's wealth and power. Yet, there was an undercurrent of tension—whispers about a special guest who had not yet arrived.

  Evelyn Hart had spent the early hours of the evening in her room, still oblivious to the real significance of the night. She had been told only that her presence was required, and as always, she obeyed without question. As she slipped into her gown, her thoughts were focused on making a good impression for her father's sake, unaware of the life-altering decisions that were being made just a few rooms away.

  Meanwhile, in the ballroom, all conversation abruptly halted. The atmosphere changed, as though the air had been sucked from the room. Heads turned toward the entrance, and an eerie silence fell as Aiden Thorn made his entrance.

  He stepped into the room with an air of absolute authority, his presence instantly commanding attention. Dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, his sharp jawline and dark, stormy eyes radiated confidence and danger. His cold expression remained unshaken as he scanned the room, not caring about the waves of reactions his arrival had caused.

  Some of the guests stared in awe, whispering to each other about his reputation—the ruthless billionaire who could crush entire companies with a single decision. Others, particularly the men who knew of his power, felt a chill down their spines, instinctively lowering their gazes to avoid eye contact. And then there were the women. A group of them stood near the entrance, breathless, unable to tear their eyes away from him. They exchanged looks of longing, each imagining what it would be like to catch the attention of a man like Aiden Thorn.

  But Aiden didn't care. He didn't acknowledge anyone in the room, as if none of them were worthy of his attention. His sharp eyes scanned the room, looking for the only person he cared to speak to: Evelyn Hart

  James, noticing the shift in energy as Aiden entered, immediately broke away from his conversation and moved toward him, his face lighting up in a welcoming smile. "Mr. Thorn," James said, extending a hand. "I'm so glad you could make it."

  Aiden accepted the handshake, but his eyes remained cold. "James," he replied curtly. "I don't have time for pleasantries. Let's talk business."

  James chuckled, knowing that Aiden was not the type of man to indulge in social niceties. "Of course," he said, gesturing for Aiden to follow him toward a quieter corner of the ballroom. "I think you'll find tonight's gathering quite productive."

  As they moved through the crowd, people stepped aside, making way for Aiden without him even asking. His mere presence demanded respect and, for some, fear. Once they were away from the prying ears of the partygoers, James began discussing the details of their potential business partnership.

  "This merger could be a game-changer for both of our companies," James said, his voice low but full of enthusiasm. "Hart Industries has been expanding rapidly in the international markets, and with Thorn Enterprises backing us, we could dominate."

  Aiden listened, his expression unreadable, but his mind was already calculating the advantages and risks. He wasn't interested in playing nice or forming friendships; all he cared about was control and power. This merger was just another step in his grander plan, another means of securing his empire's dominance.

  As James continued speaking, Aiden's thoughts drifted momentarily. He had seen a picture of Evelyn Hart in the dossier he had requested, but he had yet to see her in person. He wasn't one to get distracted easily, but something about her image had lingered in his mind. Perhaps it was the contrast between her innocent, naive look and the ruthless world he navigated. He shook off the thought, focusing back on the conversation.