Adrian Sinclair stepped forward, his presence heavy enough to make the air feel ten times thicker.

    Ethan immediately sensed the tension rolling off the man in waves.

    It wasn''t hard to tell that Adrian was not pleased with what he had just walked into.

    His sharp, calculating eyes weren''t scanning the resort, nor the people around him.

    Instead, his full attention was locked onto Ethan.

    And Ethan? Well, for the first time in a long time, he felt like a high school kid caught sitting too close to the principal''s daughter.

    If looks could kill, Ethan would be six feet under before dessert arrived.

    Melissa, however, looked completely unbothered.

    She waved at her brother with the same casual ease she always carried. "Adrian! You''re here early!"

    Ethan almost wanted to give her credit for her ability to remain oblivious to the pure rage simmering beneath Adrian''s otherwise composed expression.

    For a brief second, Ethan was sure Adrian was about to say something — something that would probably make this situation a lot worse — but then... he saw his sister''s bright, smiling face.

    And just like that, the man''s icy glare softened.

    It was almost comical.

    Melissa had her brother wrapped around her finger, and even a man as cold as Adrian Sinclair wasn''t immune.

    Still, Adrian didn''t say much.

    He simply walked forward and took the empty seat right beside Melissa — a calculated move, if Ethan had to guess.

    A clear message.

    ''You are in my sister''s personal space. Move.''

    Ethan didn''t need to be told twice.

    He quickly rose from his seat, grabbing his napkin in the process.

    Melissa, however, was faster.

    She reached for his wrist, holding him down gently.

    "Hey," she said, tilting her head slightly. "Where are you going? We''re not done eating."

    Ethan glanced between her hand and Adrian''s increasingly darkening expression.

    The last thing he wanted was to be on this man''s hit list.

    So, with as much tact and charm as he could muster, he gently freed his hand from Melissa''s grasp, offering her a small smile.

    No, not particularly.

    But business was business.

    And if Adrian Sinclair had traveled all the way here, then Ethan couldn''t avoid him forever.

    With a deep breath, Ethan straightened his suit and started making his way back upstairs.

    #####

    The VIP guests were the heart and soul of ATLAS''s exclusivity.

    While regular customers still experienced luxury, the true opulence of the resort was reserved for those who could afford the VIP experience.

    Ethan understood this well.

    These were the people who could make or break ATLAS''s reputation.

    Wealthy socialites, business moguls, celebrities, and heirs of prestigious families — they were the ones who set the trends.

    If they loved the resort, ATLAS would soar to unimaginable heights.

    If they were disappointed, the media would eat it alive.

    So, despite his earlier hesitation about returning to Adrian''s vicinity, Ethan knew he had no choice.

    With one last exhale, he adjusted his silver tuxedo, ran a hand through his black hair, and stepped back into the VIP dining area.

    The moment Ethan walked in, he could feel it — every gaze turning toward him.

    A few mature women, adorned in elegant dresses and expensive jewelry, took a particular interest in him.

    Ethan was used to attention.

    He had the kind of chiseled, effortless charm that naturally turned heads.

    His sharp jawline, piercing gaze, and the confident way he carried himself made him the perfect subject of fascination.

    A few whispers echoed around the room.

    "That''s Ethan Grey, right?"

    "He''s even more handsome in person."

    "I heard he owns this entire resort."

    A soft chuckle almost slipped from Ethan''s lips, but he remained composed.

    Zack, who had been sitting off to the side, finally relaxed the moment Ethan walked in.

    The room had felt alien to him.

    Not because he wasn''t accustomed to wealth — but because the people here were on a different level of rich.