Chapter 1: Collision of fates

Summerville City, York State..

Summerville City ran on ambition. It was a place where the powerful rose above the rest, their towering buildings like monuments to success over everyone else. The rich had their say, and everyone else? They just fell in line.

At the heart of it all stood Galaxy Empire Tower—an eighty-six-story testament to wealth and control. It wasn’t just a building; it was the crown of the city. And at its peak, sat the man who ruled it.

Alexander Harris stood in his office, his eyes scanning through the city below as if he could control it all with just a thought.

His shoulders were broad in his sharp suit, his posture dignified—but everything about him screamed power. His expression—cold, distant.

This city was his. Every deal, every contract, every defeated opponent—it all belonged to him.

Behind him, his assistant, Earl Frost, waited with cautiously delivering a report for the progress of their big project soon.

"Sir, Mr. Trevor signed the papers for the Southern District."

Alex’s lips twitched—satisfaction flashed on his black orbs.

Trevor had been stubborn, trying to hold onto his piece of land. But he had broken him, just like he’d done with so many before. One threat, one signature—and the land was his.

"Good," he said, his voice flat. "Start the construction immediately."

“Understood, sir," Earl said. His voice became cautious when he continued. "One more thing, sir. Ms. Croft arrived yesterday. The old Madame set up a meeting for you both this afternoon."

A flicker of irritation crossed Alex's face.

Hailee Croft.

His grandmother had been pushing for years to marry her off to him. Hailee was beautiful, well-bred, and from a respected family—a perfect match for someone like him. But he didn’t care for perfection. Or love.

He clenched his jaw, irritation bubbling up. "Cancel it."

Earl didn’t question him. He simply nodded and left, and Alex was left alone with the weight of his empire.

His grandmother didn’t understand. Marriage, in his eyes, was nothing more than a transaction—an agreement sealed for advantage, not affection. Love had no place in his world. It was a liability, a destruction. And he had no intention of tethering himself to someone who will just ruin his life one day.

Her threat didn’t faze him. She had warned that if he didn’t marry within three months, her 15 percent share of the company would be transferred to his father. As if that would scare him.

He had countless ways to seize those shares with just a snap of his fingers.

Besides, if he ever did get married, it would be on his terms.

—

Across the City – Summer Spring Residences..

On the other side of Summerville, things were quieter. Summer Spring Residences was a peaceful neighborhood, far from the city’s busy streets. Modest homes lined the sidewalks, and the whole place had a calm, easygoing feel.

Inside one of those quiet houses, Eve Carson was stuffing her work uniform into her bag. She’d been juggling jobs since high school, doing whatever she could to help pay the bills and keep her studies going.

"You're going to work again?" her younger brother, Perry, asked from the couch, eyes still glued to the TV.

"Yeah," Eve said with a tired sigh, slipping her name tag into the side pocket. "Picked up an extra shift. Might get better tips tonight."

Perry frowned. "I saw on the news… Galaxy Empire bought out the Southern District."

Eve paused. Her stomach tightened. "So?"

"I think that’s why Mom is coming home early. She seemed... upset."

Before Eve could say anything, the front door opened. Their mother, Ellie Carson, stepped in carrying a heavy-looking box of jewelry tools.

"Mom!" Eve hurried over and grabbed it from her. "You shouldn’t be lifting this."

"I’m okay," Ellie said with a soft smile, brushing past her.

But Eve didn’t believe her. For weeks now, their mom had been brushing off the headaches and fatigue, pretending everything was fine.

Perry walked over and sat beside Ellie. "Why’d you close the shop early today?"

Ellie set her purse down on the table and gave a long, quiet sigh. "Construction starts next week. The new owners want everyone out. We have to move."

Eve’s hands balled into fists.

Galaxy Empire.

Of course.

The most powerful company in the city—cold, greedy, untouchable. They didn’t think twice about bulldozing small businesses, families… lives.

"Did they even offer anything in return?" Eve asked, her voice tight.

Ellie nodded slowly. "They gave us something. But it won’t last long."

Eve let out a bitter laugh. "People like us don’t matter to them."

Ellie reached for her daughter’s hand and gave it a light squeeze. "We’ll figure something out."

But Eve was still unhappy. This capitalists had really gone too far!

___

Later that night – at The Black Monarch..

It was the kind of place only the city’s elite could enter—dim lights, smooth jazz, expensive everything. A place where money spoke and power sat in the corners like smoke.

In the VIP section, Alex sat with a glass of whiskey in his hand. Across from him were Travis Fraser and Luke Carter, his oldest friends from boarding school.

Luke leaned back with a groan. "Next time, we’re bringing women. This is dull as hell."

Travis chuckled. "You say that every time."

Luke rolled his eyes. "Because it’s true. Why bother coming here if we’re just gonna sit around?"

Travis raised a brow. "You mean why you bother."

Luke glanced over at Alex. "What about you? Are you missing some company tonight, or are you just going to keep brooding like usual?"

Alex didn’t even look up. "I’m fine."

Luke scoffed. "Yeah, okay. Mr. Ice King himself."

Just then, Alex’s phone buzzed on the table. His grandmother’s name lit up the screen.

Without a word, he stood, slipped the phone into his pocket, and walked off.

Luke watched him go and sighed. "Great. He’s pissed again."

Travis shrugged. "He’s always pissed."

___

Alex walked down the dim hallway as the sounds of jazz and quiet chatter faded behind him. He answered the call.

"Grandmother."

"You missed the meeting today."

"I never agreed to it," he said flatly.

There was a pause. Her voice stayed calm, but he could hear the edge in it. "Hailee is a good match. You’re being unreasonable."

"I don’t need a match," he replied coldly.

"You need to think about the future."

"I am." His voice was sharper now. "This conversation’s over."

He hung up before she could respond and slipped the phone back into his coat. He's getting tired of his grandmother's endless nag. If not for the fact that she's the one who had raised him, he would've cut her off a long time ago.

He was about to go back to the private lounge when someone ran straight into him at the corner.

"Ah—!"

He instinctively reached out, steadying her before she could fall. Small hands pressed against his chest., while his arm was around her waist.

He looked down.

She looked up.

Hazel, almond-shaped eyes locked with his.

For a moment, neither of them moved. The air felt charged, like something had shifted.

Her voice broke the silence—soft, but steady. "Let go."

But his hand stayed right where it was. He didn’t move. He didn’t know why either.

He just didn’t let go.

And that—whether he knew it or not—was where everything began.