The hall was silent—dead silent—until a few guests began to murmur amongst themselves, glancing at one another with raised eyebrows and curious expressions.
Perhaps the host didn't say his name clearly?
Shin Keir, in the center of it all, remained completely unbothered. He sipped his wine like he was in the front row of a theater play he'd already seen ten times.
The murmurs grew louder, gaining momentum like a wave of gossip preparing to crash.
In response, the flustered host attempted to recover with a nervous laugh. "Ahem—Let us hear CEO Shin Keir and Miss Calin Ricci."
Eleanor Keir clapped as though she'd just solved world peace. "Do they want a birthday speech from you? Son, If you're not ready, don't worry—Mommy can do it!"
Shin smirked, lifting his glass in a lazy toast. "Sure."
Before Calin could step in to steer the situation back on track, Eleanor— pulled her along to the stage like a proud pageant mom.
"Good evening, everyone!" Eleanor beamed with the poise of a former socialite who had taken one too many champagne sips. "Family and friends, thank you for coming tonight!"
Despite her... unstable tendencies, her socialite training hadn't entirely deserted her. Her voice was clear, her posture straight, and her presence commanding. Unfortunately, the effect was more terrifying than impressive.
Elder Madam Keir, who had just arrived at the stage's edge, turned ghostly pale. She had made a grave mistake—how had she forgotten the family's ticking bomb that was Eleanor Keir?
Once upon a time, Eleanor had been a highly sought-after socialite, perfectly matched for Allister Keir. But after their marriage—one built more on scheming than sincerity—her love for Allister turned toxic. When he dared to file for divorce, she exploded like a bottle of shaken champagne, turning the entire Keir household into a madhouse.
How could she have forgotten this lunatic daughter-in-law?
Now here she was, clutching a microphone and threatening to derail an evening meant for a very different announcement.
Madam Ricci subtly urged Elder Madam Keir to make the announcement already.
But Elder Madam Keir dared not take the risk. She leaned in and whispered through gritted teeth, "Tonight's not ideal. The guests aren't idiots. If we announce now, it'll look forced. We want people to think they're in love."
Besides, Eleanor was holding the script of a loving wife and doting mother in her own world. The moment she suspected someone was stealing her son—or worse, her husband—she could spiral into hysterics.
If she flips then the family's reputation would hit rock bottom.
Across the room, Elli Keir and his family were equally tense. Not out of concern for Shin, of course, but because they didn't want him to gain even more power through a Ricci alliance.
A stronger Shin meant bad news for them.
Hadi, meanwhile, was silently combusting. Calin—his ideal woman, beautiful and refined—was being served to that illegitimate bastard on a silver platter? Where was the justice in that?
That honor should've gone to someone like him, a real Keir.
"So... no engagement announcement?" someone whispered.
The gossipy murmurs began again. Elder Madam Keir shot a panicked look to the host to do something, anything, to keep Eleanor from unleashing her own twisted version of family history on stage.
Calin, dragged into the spotlight, looked like a stunned child at her own supposedly engagement announcement party. Her face was pale, her body rigid, and her mind completely scrambled.
Her parents were clearly unhappy, but they couldn't exactly question a Keir matriarch in public. And Shin? He just watched it all like he was just another guest.
Tristan chuckled from the sidelines, nudging Shin. "Since when did you get along with your stepmother? You knew they were going to ambush you with this engagement, didn't you?"
Shin chuckled. "Never have been. Never will be. But if someone insists on performing, who am I to stop them?"
Across the room, Father Ricci plastered on a businessman's smile so wide it nearly split his face. He'd been trying to link his family to the Keirs for years. Marrying Calin to Shin would mean unlimited access to Keir resources—and rescue for his flailing finances.
Publicly, the Ricci Jewelry Corporation sparkled. Privately? It was bleeding cash faster than a romantic lead in a tragedy.
"Allister, old friend! We never see you anymore. When was our last golf game, hmm? How about next weekend?" Father Ricci used his most cheerful tone while side-eyeing Shin.
If he left everything to Elder Madam Keir, nothing would happen. Better to push forward himself—create a date, an opportunity for Calin and Shin into spending time together.
Simple. Romantic. Manipulative.
Allister replied with the casual charm of a veteran actor. "You know I prefer my solitude. But next weekend works. As for Shin? The boy's running the whole Keir empire, even I, his father had to schedule."
"Dad!" Calin appeared beside him, eyes wide with hurt, clinging to his arm like a fragile little blossom wronged by a splinter.
She couldn't scream at the matriarch, couldn't show desperation—not after offering that absurd, 'No feelings' contract marriage. Not in front of Shin.
Father Ricci gave her a loving pat. "Shin, don't overwork yourself. Come play with us old-timers, huh?"
Shin tilted his head. "CEO Ricci, you run a business too. You know how it is. I appreciate your concern. If I ever get time..." He paused, then added dryly, "I'll definitely catch up—on sleep."
Father Ricci was momentarily stunned not expecting Shin Keir to not give him a bit of face.
Tristan jumped in to pour more salt. "Yes, he hasn't been sleeping well. It's really not easy keeping the family afloat."
Calin and her father were speechless. Shin wasn't exactly a stressed office slave living off instant noodles.
Just then, Eleanor returned, still radiating misplaced pride. "Husband, how did I do? I had so much more to say, but I figured others deserved a turn." She shot a theatrical look toward Calin. "Though I don't see why I have to share my moment with an outsider."
Calin's jaw twitched, but she couldn't break her character. Not yet, she reminded herself. 'Damn madwoman, who said it was your moment?'
"Brother Shin," Calin tried to change the topic, "if you're not feeling well, maybe see Dr. Neri? He's back in the country—I visited him recently."
"We did," Tristan answered before Shin could blink. "He's too busy to come tonight though."
Calin twitched internally. Tristan had been blocking her all evening. Was he... into her?
"I see," she said, forcing sweetness. "I also heard you gave Elder Madam Keir a red beryl. Was that from Crystal City?"
"That was my idea. Our Shin's schedule is insane to prepare a gift, so I thought—why not a joint gift?"
Joint gift? Calin nearly choked. Were they in a relationship? What even was a "joint gift" in this context? A metaphorical engagement ring?
Calin was so annoyed she almost couldn't maintain her composure. If not for Tristan's reputation, she would really assume he's also into Shin Keir.
Father Ricci was equally annoyed with how they were implying that Shin Keir was too busy to even have a haircut. Unfortunately he couldn't offend this future son-in-law and future ATM.
Eventually, Shin lost interest in the drama and excused himself after a few business handshakes.
Others, hoping to network or simply bask in his presence, could only sighed in regret—was he gone for the night?
Calin kept up the appearance of mingling, but the moment she saw him leave, she made her move. High heels clicking, she hurried toward the parking lot, knowing she'd never catch up to his long-legged strides otherwise.
"Brother Shin! What a coincidence—you're also—Kyaah!"
Down she went, high heels betraying her like bad friends.
Shin paused, frowning slightly. Was this déjà vu? It seemed not long ago someone else also kneeled in front of him.
Is it some kind of illness or was this a new scam trend?
"I think I sprained my ankle..." Calin whimpered, voice delicate.
Originally, she'd planned to apologize after what happened at his study and maybe charm Shin into giving her a ride.
However, the fall was real this time and as someone in the entertainment industry, this was an opportunity rather than an embarrassment so she was quick to pull a sprained ankle.
Until Hadi barged in and ruined everything.
He hurried to Calin's side like a male lead in a low budget teenage drama, arms flaring, ready for action.
"What are you doing?!" he roared. "Shin, how dare you treat a woman ?!"
Looking at Hadi with gold sunglasses at midnight. He really have no words to waste.
"It's not what it looks like!" Calin panicked. "I fell on my own!"
What if Shin Keir take it the wrong way and think she's in cahoots with Hadi? His impression of her would plummet even further.
"Calin, don't be scared. I'll protect you!" Hadi declared.
Shin had no interest or intention to join their drama, he simply walked past them and unlocked his Lamborghini.
"Brother Shin, wait! Let me explain! It's not what you think!"
But all she got in response was the echo of his engine roaring away.