Page 110 of King of Sin
None of the guests downstairs noticed that above the grand ballroom was an exclusive VIP floor reserved for only the wealthiest and most influential people attending the event.
The upper level overlooked the entire venue, providing a clear view of everything happening below while remaining completely removed from the noise and chaos of the crowd. Access was strictly controlled. In the entire city, there were only a handful of people powerful enough to receive an invitation to stand there.
Among them stood Cassian Han.
His tall frame was positioned near the polished railing, one hand resting lazily against the metal while the other remained tucked inside his pocket. At first glance, he appeared completely relaxed, almost indifferent to the lavish event unfolding beneath him.
Only those who knew him well would notice that he had barely moved for the past twenty minutes.
Because his attention had been fixed on one person.
Juliet.
His dark eyes followed her through the ballroom with unwavering focus, tracking her every movement no matter where she went. The crowd shifted constantly around her, yet she remained the only thing he seemed capable of seeing.
Nothing escaped his notice.
Not the way she smiled when someone spoke to her. Not the way she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Not the way her laughter lit up her face. And certainly not the way Vincent's eyes kept drifting back toward her over and over again.
A faint tension lingered around Cassian's shoulders as he watched, though his expression remained unreadable.
Standing beside him was Xavier Chen, one of the few people who had known him long enough to recognize the warning signs.
Where Cassian possessed a raw, intimidating masculinity, Xavier's appeal lay in his elegance. Tall and impeccably dressed, he looked more like an aristocrat than a billionaire. His long black hair brushed his shoulders, framing a handsome face defined by high cheekbones, arched brows, and sharp, refined features. A thin scar sliced through his right eyebrow, the only imperfection on an otherwise flawless face.
There was something unnervingly composed about him.
Not a single strand of hair was out of place. His charcoal suit was immaculate, and even the way he held his whiskey glass seemed carefully controlled.
Most people found Xavier charming.
Those who knew him well understood that his calm smile was far more dangerous than Cassian's temper.
Leaning casually against the railing, Xavier swirled the amber liquid in his whiskey glass while his gaze moved between Juliet, Vincent, and Cassian.
The longer he watched the strange triangle, the more amused he became.
Finally, a quiet scoff escaped him.
"Are you really going to keep her locked up in your house?" he asked, turning his head toward Cassian.
Cassian didn't respond.
He didn't even glance at him.
His eyes remained fixed on Juliet as though the conversation wasn't important enough to deserve his attention.
Xavier shook his head and chuckled.
"I heard you've practically trapped her there." He took a slow sip of whiskey before settling more comfortably against the railing. "What's the plan exactly? Do you seriously think keeping her inside your house is going to make her give you another chance?"
Still nothing.
The silence only encouraged him.
"Honestly, I can't imagine that working." Xavier lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "A woman isn't going to fall in love with you simply because you keep her close. If anything, she'll probably resent you even more."
For several moments, the only sound between them was the distant music drifting up from the ballroom below.
