"How''s it going?"


    Forrest''s expression instantly cooled at the question. The gentle, approachable look he usually wore was gone, reced with open irritation for the first time.


    "All those tricks you bragged about giving gifts, splurging on presents, inviting her out for fun-they werepletely useless. And you call yourself a master of romance?"


    "Please."


    Rnd couldn''t let that slide. He grabbed Forrest by the arm and pulled him aside.


    "Hold on, you''d better exin what went wrong. My advice is foolproof! It has to be your fault-your head''s always full of code and business jargon, you probably botched the execution. Come on, spill it. Tell me exactly what you did."


    ...


    Meanwhile


    Ryan Lockwood stepped into the ballroom, scanning the crowd until his gazended on Giselle, who was surrounded by people. His eyes instantly lit up.


    "Giselle!" he called out, voice brimming with excitement as he made his way toward her.


    Giselle was chatting animatedly with a group, but at the sound of his voice, she turned, momentarily surprised, before greeting him with a bright smile.


    "Ryan, you made it! Where''s your brother?"


    If Ryan was here, his older brother Rnd must be around as well. Giselle nced around but didn''t spot him.


    "He went off to find Forrest," Ryan replied, stepping closer without a care for the curious eyes nearby. His gaze lingered on Giselle, full of unguarded affection. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of worry and sleepless nights over his brother''s troubles. He and Giselle had only managed phone callstely-it felt like ages since he''d seen her in person.


    When he heard Forrest was hosting a party tonight, Ryan all but begged Rnd to bring him along, hoping he might get lucky and run into her.


    And luck was on his side.


    Now that she was right in front of him, he couldn''t tear his eyes away.


    Giselle felt the warmth of his attention, and while she enjoyed it, she instinctively nced away, mindful of the crowd. After all, she was still Lysander''s girlfriend.


    People nearby recognized Ryan immediately; everyone knew about his family''s close ties with Forrest, the host of the evening. The Lockwood Group was making wavestely, so guests greeted him with enthusiasm.


    A few observant attendees noticed Ryan''s lively greeting-and the way Giselle seemed to draw attention wherever she went. Earlier, she''d been seen deep in conversation with Forrest. No one knew what they talked about, but the easyughter between them had caught a few eyes. Whispers started making the rounds.


    "Ms. Harvey, you seem to have a great rtionship with both Mr. Lockwood and Mr. Whitmore, don''t you?" someone asked, curiosity barely concealed.


    Giselle smiled, sidestepping the question with practiced ease. "We''re all old friends. Ryan and I grew up together."


    That said it all-they were close.


    Everyone knew that although Rnd spent most of his time overseas, he doted on his little brother. And with Forrest and Rnd''s friendship, the connections were obvious.


    Ms. Harvey''swork, it seemed, was nothing to scoff at.


    Not only had she caught Chairman Montgomery''s eye, but she''d also won over Ryan Lockwood, and was on excellent terms with Forrest Whitmore. Add in her impressive academic background and striking looks-her future was bright.


    The crowd grew even more weing.


    Giselle navigated the room with practiced charm, chatting withpany executives before excusing herself with a smile, signaling Leonard to take over. Then she slipped away with Ryan.


    ...


    Private lounge off the ballroom.


    As soon as the door closed, Giselle turned to Ryan with a smile, only to be wrapped in his arms.


    "Giselle, I''ve missed you so much," he murmured.


    Sheughed, ruffling his hair, not pulling away but patting his back gently. "Well, I''m right here now, aren''t I?"


    Ryan shook his head, voice muffled against her shoulder. "If it weren''t for your calls your encouragement, yourfort-I honestly don''t know how I would''ve made it until Rnd came back."


    Rnd''s disappearance had nearly sent Ryan over the edge. It was Giselle who kept in touch every day, checking in, reassuring him, helping him look for answers. Without her, he would have buckled under the pressure from every side. Now, seeing her in person, gratitude and longing overwhelmed him.


    He wanted to ask-could Giselle ever choose him? He''d give her everything he had, do everything for her.


    But the words stuck in his throat.


    After all, he was just the idle younger son, barely holding things together while his brother was gone. He couldn''tpare to someone as aplished as Lysander. He wasn''t good enough for Giselle.


    It hurt to admit, but it was the truth.


    Giselle deserved the very best-and only someone like Lysander could truly be enough for her.


    After a moment, Ryan finally let her go.


    Seeing the shadow in his eyes, Giselle brushed her fingers softly along his cheek, her voice gentle. "What''s got you down all of a sudden?"