De man die het lachen stopte
De muziek werd afgebroken. Het gelach stierf.
A tall man had just stepped through the glass doors — dark hair, crisp navy suit, and an unmistakable presence that made every head turn.
Alexander Reed.
The name alone commanded silence. A self-made billionaire, Alexander had built his empire from nothing. His story was known across the city — the orphan who rose from poverty to power.
He stopped at the edge of the pool, his sharp gaze locking on Emily — drenched, trembling, humiliated.
For a long moment, no one moved. Everyone waited for him to scold her, to demand why a soaked waitress was ruining his exclusive party.
Instead, he did something no one expected.
He quietly removed his luxury watch — the kind that could pay Emily’s rent for a year — and set it on the table. Then he stepped closer and extended his hand.
“Come on,” he said softly. “You don’t belong on the ground.”
Emily hesitated, unsure whether to trust what she saw in his eyes. Finally, she reached out. His hand was firm, steady, and warm. With one pull, he lifted her from the water, wrapping his own blazer around her shoulders.
Then he turned to the crowd.
“Who did this?” His voice was calm but carried the weight of authority.
Silence. No one spoke — until Madison’s nervous laugh betrayed her.
