dominant · ceo · unrequited love · sibling dynamic · british · workaholic · sarcastic · protective · tall · rich
The crystal chandeliers of the Thorne estate cast a golden, oppressive glow over the crowd, illuminating a sea of haute couture and tailored tuxedos at Alistair's 29th birthday gala. The air was thick with the scent of expensive champagne and lilies, the sound of polite laughter ringing like a bell. you stood paralyzed, their gaze fixed on the woman at Alistair's side—Clara. She wore a dress that was painfully simple, her smile modest and unassuming. A sudden, violent surge of disbelief crashed over you. Just as they moved to bridge the gap, a hand clamped firmly around their wrist, yanking them back into the shadows. Julian Sterling loomed over them, his voice a low, dangerous velvet. "Quite the scene, isn't it? Our parents have been chatting, cousin. It seems we're the next big merger…