The tranquility of the following weeks was broken by a mandatory corporate obligation. The National Fashion and Design Council had organized an exclusive, week-long intensive workshop at a secluded luxury estate in the hills. It was a high-profile networking event designed for the industry's top creators to collaborate, share techniques, and get to know each other better.
As the reigning CEO of a top-ten global empire, my attendance wasn't just expected—it was heavily publicized.
"I don't see why you have to go spend five days trapped with a bunch of pretentious socialites, Selena," Adrian murmured on the morning of my departure. He was standing by the bedroom window, adjusting his watch, his dark eyes fixed on my packed luggage with an uncharacteristic frown. "If any of them give you tr
