CHAPTER THREE : THE MYSTERIOUS MAN

He stepped out of the hall, his bodyguards surrounding him, trying to block the reporters running to his side for a new gossip.

"Sir, since you are here today to represent COLLENS INDUSTRIES, can you give us a clear view of your relationship with the COLLENS family? The people would like to know," a female reporter said, forcing her way through the bulky cloud of men with her small stature, while a frown settled on his face, irritated by their obstruction.

"Give way!" one of the men shouted as they pushed the reporters aside to create a clear road for them to pass through.

The people surrounding Sophie and Olivia gradually dispersed, eager to see the fine man from the COLLENS INDUSTRIES who had come to the auction to buy Adams Industries.

Olivia's eyes widened when she realized what was happening. She quickly stood up from the floor, wiped herself off, and touched up her makeup within two minutes, showing her expertise in the task. She left Sophie's side and ran along with the crowd.

Sophie looked around, noticing the crowd's attention had shifted away from her, and let out a sigh of relief.

The man walked through the small space his guards had created for him, heading toward his car. Sophie immediately noticed his sleek black hair and silently prayed he would turn his face, even just a little, so she could see it. It seemed like the universe was on her side because at that very moment, he turned his face, and she was struck by awe.

His icy blue eyes, the first thing she noticed, stood out on his face as they stared back at her. The whole world seemed to pause.

His eyes were like ice floating on the ocean during winter in the North Pole.

'A very fitting comparison,' she agreed with herself, as she couldn't think of anything better to compare to their unique shade of blue.

His nose stood perfectly on his face, leading down to his full, plump red lips, which were set in a slight downward curve due to the deep frown on his face.

He quickly turned away, but it was long enough for Sophie to take in all his features.

Olivia ran to the front of the crowd to meet him, standing forward in all her elegance, after finally catching up to him. Her purse fell from her hands.

"Oops, I am so sorry for that," she said, stopping in front of him as if she were going to pick it up. She then looked up into his icy blue eyes, expecting him to bend down to retrieve her purse, but he stared directly into her brown ones, sending a shiver down her spine with the intensity of his gaze.

She bent down to pick up her purse from the floor herself.

Her already mid-thigh gown rode up, stopping just below her hips, leaving little to the imagination. She stylishly picked up her purse and gave a small smile when she realized he was not looking at her but was checking his watch the entire time she took to retrieve her purse.

"Move," his deep voice echoed loudly around the parking lot. The eyes that had eagerly been watching their interaction, waiting for what would happen next, widened.

Olivia couldn't control her shame after being rejected publicly, as her face flushed a deep shade of red out of embarrassment.

She gave a small, embarrassed smile and said "sorry" softly, then immediately walked to her car and drove off.

---

"Young master, you're back!"

"Welcome, young master," the voices of servants echoed loudly around the mansion as a man stepped down from his car, his eyes staring at the mansion in front of him.

He squared his shoulders and nodded at their greetings without saying a word.

"Young master, the old master will be glad to know you are visiting," a man said as he came out to welcome him.

The man looked at the older man in front of him, the head servant and butler of the house, Jones.

"Where is Grandfather?" the man asked, acknowledging Jones' greeting with a nod.

The old man smiled widely, pleased at being acknowledged by the young master. He had known the young master of the Collens since he was just a baby and was happy to see how much he had grown.

"He's in his study," the old man said as he pointed in the direction of the senior master's study and followed him toward it.

"Grandfather," the young man said, his voice echoing through the room.

His eyes softened but maintained their firmness as he took in his grandfather, who sat proudly in his study chair.

"Shane, my boy!" his grandfather said, excitement clear on his face as he broke into a wide smile.

"It's been so long. Why don't you visit me more often?" the old man asked, pulling his grandson into a tight hug.

Mr. Jones smiled, watching the interaction between the young man and his grandfather. He knew Shane could be stiff at times, but around his grandfather, he always relaxed.

"I saw you last week, Grandfather," the young man said, his expression softening at his grandfather's affection.

"Alright, alright, but I hope you brought your future wife with you," the old man asked excitedly , his eyes blue eyes twinkling with happiness.

Shane's expression immediately turned serious, his brow furrowing.

"She'll be coming with me the next time I visit," Shane replied firmly.

His grandfather's face burst into a wide smile, pleased with the news.

"You've finally found yourself a girl!

Who is she?" the old man asked eagerly, as Shane's...