Chapter 1 Shadows and Red Velvet

Dante stood tall at 6'5, his powerful frame commanding attention wherever he went. With dark hair that always seemed perfectly styled and piercing blue eyes that could cut through anyone, he was a man who exuded authority. His day began before the city even stirred; at 5 a.m., his alarm blared, and without hesitation, he was up and in the gym. For two grueling hours, Dante pushed his body to the limit weights, cardio, sparring an outlet for the power he held within.

By 7 a.m., Dante was dressed in his tailored suit, ready to dominate another day at his empire, Knights Enterprise. The building buzzed with early workers, but the moment Dante stepped through the doors, silence fell. Nobody dared cross his path. Employees scattered like leaves in a strong wind, careful to avoid his icy gaze. Dante had his private elevator an unspoken symbol of his untouchable status while the employees shared theirs.

When he entered his pristine, glass-walled office, his secretary Emma was already there, waiting with his daily agenda. Emma was competent, but she never took her job seriously. Instead, she spent her days trying to seduce him soft touches on his arm, plunging necklines, and lingering stares. Dante had no patience for it. Today, her unprofessional behavior pushed him too far.

"You're fired," Dante said coldly, his tone leaving no room for argument. Emma blinked, stunned, but he didn't offer an explanation. Without another glance at her, he dismissed her presence and moved on.

The rest of Dante's day was a whirlwind of power plays. His first meeting started with his team, and his frustration boiled over as he scolded them for their mediocre work. Dante had no tolerance for mistakes perfection was the only acceptable result under his leadership. After laying down the law in his office, he moved on to an external meeting, sealing yet another deal that would strengthen his empire. Dante's reputation preceded him: cold, ruthless, and unyielding.

By 7 p.m., Dante finally returned to his office to wrap up the day. Papers signed, deals finalized, he changed gears. Leaving Knights Enterprise behind, he headed to his secret office a dimly lit underground lair where his second life as a mafia boss unfolded. Tonight, Dante visited the docks to check on shipments, ensuring everything was in order. Power was his currency, and fear was his weapon. This was Dante's life ruthless, relentless, and controlled.

Jasmine's life, in stark contrast, was a struggle. At 5'5, with soft green eyes and long blonde hair, she should have turned heads. But instead, she hid beneath unflattering clothes loose blouses, long skirts, and her hair always tied in a tight bun. Her coworkers at Baines Enterprises saw no potential in her. As the vice president's secretary, Jasmine did everything: her own work, her boss's work, and anything others dumped on her desk. She stayed late, often working overtime for minimal pay, but no one appreciated her.

Her personal life wasn't much better. Two months ago, Jasmine's world shattered when her boyfriend of five years, Paxton, cheated on her. His reason? "You never paid attention to me," he had said, blaming her dedication to work. Jasmine had never slept with him, choosing to keep her virginity until the time felt right. That, too, had been a sore point for him. But tonight was different.

Jasmine's boss, Luke Baines, had invited her to attend a prestigious gala. Begrudgingly, she agreed. Her best friend, Lincy, refused to let her show up looking "like someone's grandmother," as she put it. Lincy orchestrated a complete makeover makeup that highlighted Jasmine's striking green eyes, soft curls cascading down her shoulders, and a show-stopping red dress that hugged her figure. The thigh-high slit and deep neckline were bolder than anything Jasmine had ever worn, and Lincy topped it off with a shade of dark red lipstick that made her look like a goddess.

As Jasmine entered the grand ballroom, all eyes turned to her. Whispers filled the room as heads swiveled to catch a glimpse of the woman who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

Her confidence faltered for a brief moment, but she straightened her shoulders and held her chin high.

For the first time in her life, Jasmine was not invisible.

And across the room, Dante's sharp blue eyes locked onto her.