“Without your faith from the outset,” he continued, “BioBuild wouldn’t be what it is today.” A grin tugged at his mouth. “Not to mention, we wouldn’t be standing here now, millions of dollars richer.”
Peals of laughter rang out as the crowd broke into applause.
“But enough about business. Tonight, I have a very special surprise for you all. It’s my way of saying thank you.” His lips spread into a beaming smile. “Let me give you a hint. She’s five foot two, sings, and looks, like an angel.” He gestured toward the side of the stage. “Friends and guests, it gives me great pleasure to introduce tonight’s performer!”
A young woman with a signature ponytail skipped onto the stage, blowing a flurry of kisses into the crowd as they roared with excitement.
The audience quickly fell silent as she launched straight into her opening number. Her voice soared while backup dancers in black tuxedos moved in perfect rhythm behind her.
Her white tassel dress shimmered as she stamped across the stage in stiletto boots. The audience watched in awe as she performed four more songs before announcing a brief intermission and vanishing backstage.
The butlers resumed their paths through the crowd below the stage as I did another hopeful sweep for Ivy. My gaze drifted back to the same spot I’d started.
My hands were clammy. She’s a no-show. It’s game over—
“Hey, you’re up,” Dyson said, stopping beside me. “Time for your speech, get up there and have your moment.” He nudged me toward the stage.
She’s not coming.I closed my eyes and, with a vigorous headshake, dragged myself back into the moment.
This was about BioBuild’s success, and I wanted to congratulate my closest friend on his ingenuity. I stepped onto the stage, reaching for the microphone as the sea of faces waited expectantly.
“Good evening.” I looked out across the crowd. “I’m Karson Wells. Are you all having a wonderful time?”
Cheers erupted from the audience. I waited for them to fade. “Please join me in taking a moment to recognize the founder.” I extended an arm toward my oldest friend. “Dyson Khan.”
Clearly delighted, he nodded his thanks to the audience before turning to me with an appreciative look.
“For as long as I’ve known Dyson, he’sbeen ahead of the curve. He was forever building his empire and made it onto the top five hundred rich list before we even graduated high school. We all invested in his schemes, mostly just so he’d stop talking about them for five minutes.”
The crowd broke into laughter. I glanced at him. He flashed his signature pearly grin, lifted his palms, and gave an unapologetic shrug, drawing another wave of laughter from the audience.
“What can I say?” Dyson chuckled.
“Seriously. Well done, Dyson. Thanks to your commitment and innovative thinking, BioBuild has accelerated through the industry and millions of people are benefiting,” I said, my eyes drifting back across the sea of faces.
I stopped dead, my heart slamming against my chest.
There she is. And she’s breathtaking.
She practically glowed beneath the white lights. Sequins and tiny crystals scattered across her dress shimmered like stars. But as beautiful as the dress was… it paled beside her radiance.
I took in her wavy caramel hair spilling over her shoulders, and those eyes… the very ones I couldn’t get out of my head.
Her gaze lifted toward the stage and caught mine.
I swallowed hard and summoned every ounce of willpower to keep myself from running off the stage.
“Everyone,” I said, unable to control the grin spreading across my face, “there’s somebody here I want to introduce to you tonight. Not only is she very special to me personally, but she’s also an all-around remarkable woman and an award-winning model.”
Keeping my eyes locked on her, I stretched my open hand toward her. “Allow me to present the lovely, Ivy Lawrence.”
The lights found her, drawing the attention of the crowd. Her small smirk blossomed into a radiant smile, and with a hand over her heart, she shook her head from side to side.
“Please,” I said, unable to take my eyes off her, “join me up here, Ivy.”
Covering her cheeks with her hands, she mouthed, “No.”
I pressed my hand against my heart and mouthed, “Please.”
