Chapter 45: The Invitation
The moment Ethan received the invitation, he knew exactly what it was—a trap.
A carefully planned, elegantly disguised challenge from Kairos Westwood.
Kairos wasn't the type to let things go, especially not a public humiliation on a live stream. He had power, influence, and wealth, but most of all, he had an ego bigger than the city itself.
Ethan sighed, staring at the invitation on his phone.
> You're cordially invited to an exclusive event.
Date: This Friday
Location: The Westwood Estate
Dress Code: Formal Attire Required
Special Guests Only
There was no sender information. No RSVP link. Just the assumption that whoever received the message would know exactly who it was from and where they were expected to be.
Arrogant. Predictable.
And exactly the kind of move Ethan had expected from Kairos.
Jordan, who was still sitting next to him, peeked over his shoulder. "Dude… that's the Westwood Estate."
Ethan smirked. "Yeah. I noticed."
Jordan shook his head. "That place is next-level, man. I heard they have a private golf course in their backyard and a literal underground casino."
Ethan chuckled. "Sounds about right."
Jordan squinted at him. "Wait. Are you actually considering going?"
Ethan leaned back, staring at the sky as if thinking. "Maybe."
Jordan groaned. "Dude, are you insane? That party is gonna be filled with nothing but rich, arrogant pricks and people desperate to kiss their asses."
Ethan grinned. "Sounds like fun."
Jordan ran a hand down his face. "You're really gonna do this, huh?"
Ethan didn't respond right away. He glanced back down at the invitation, his fingers lightly tapping against his phone screen.
Going meant stepping right into enemy territory.
But not going?
That would make him look weak.
And Ethan Cross didn't do weak.
"Yeah," Ethan finally said, slipping his phone into his pocket. "I'm going."
---
On the other side of campus, Sophia Russo sat at her usual lunch table, her phone in hand, scanning through the online chatter surrounding Fleeting Fable.
Whoever this mystery guy was, he had everyone talking.
And Ethan Cross?
Well, he was acting way too calm about it.
Her sharp instincts told her something was off. Ethan had always been a mystery, but this? This was different.
He wasn't just keeping secrets.
He was playing a game.
And Sophia hated being left out of a game she hadn't figured out yet.
She needed to know more.
Standing up, she made her way across the cafeteria, heading straight for the one person who might have some answers—Jordan.
Jordan was easy to crack. Too honest for his own good.
"Hey," she said, sliding into the seat next to him.
Jordan glanced up. "Oh. Hey, Sophia."
She smiled. "So… I hear Ethan got invited to the Westwood party."
Jordan froze mid-bite. "Uh… yeah?"
Sophia leaned in slightly. "How does a guy like Ethan even get an invite to something like that?"
Jordan hesitated. "I mean… I dunno. Maybe he just got lucky?"
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Lucky? Jordan, you and I both know people like Kairos Westwood don't invite just anyone."
Jordan swallowed, shifting in his seat. "I mean, yeah, but—"
"Jordan," she cut in smoothly, lowering her voice. "You've known Ethan for a long time, right?"
"Uh… yeah. Since middle school."
"Then be honest with me," she said, giving him a knowing look. "Does Ethan have money?"
Jordan laughed. "Ethan? Nah, he's just a regular dude."
Sophia studied his face carefully.
He wasn't lying.
Which meant… Ethan had even fooled Jordan.
That only made her more determined.
---
Ethan had been to his fair share of exclusive events.
He knew the game, knew the rules.
Rule #1: Never go in unprepared.
He spent the next couple of days gathering intel. He already knew the Westwood family had power in the city—old money, political ties, and enough influence to make problems disappear.
Kairos, however?
He was the wildcard. The youngest son of the Westwood empire, with a reputation for being both dangerously charming and utterly ruthless when crossed.
Ethan wasn't worried about charm or ruthlessness.
He was worried about what Kairos had planned.
Because there was no way this party was just a party.
Still, he wasn't about to back down.
The night before the event, Ethan stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cufflinks on his tailored black suit.
A perfect fit.
The kind of suit that didn't just say "wealthy" but screamed "untouchable."
And that's exactly the message he wanted to send.
---
The Westwood Estate
The Westwood Estate was a palace.
A massive, sprawling mansion with towering glass walls, fountains that probably cost more than most houses, and a grand entrance guarded by men in suits with earpieces.
The driveway was packed with luxury cars, each more expensive than the last.
Ethan stepped out of his sleek black McLaren—one of the very few times he let himself indulge in his wealth publicly. If he was going to make a statement, he was going to do it right.
Heads turned as he strolled toward the entrance.
A valet reached for his keys, but Ethan simply smirked. "I'll park it myself, thanks."
The valet hesitated but nodded. "Of course, sir."
As Ethan stepped into the grand hall, he felt the shift in the air.
The way people looked at him.
The curiosity.
The whispers.
And then—
"You actually showed up."
Kairos Westwood.
Dressed in an impeccable white tuxedo, standing at the top of the marble staircase, holding a crystal glass filled with expensive liquor.
The entire room went silent as Kairos descended the stairs, his eyes locked onto Ethan.
Ethan smirked. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
Kairos reached the bottom step, standing just inches away. "You've been making quite the name for yourself, Fleeting Fable."
Ethan tilted his head slightly. "And you've been throwing quite the tantrum about it."
A flicker of something crossed Kairos's face—annoyance? Amusement?
Then he smiled. "Enjoy the party. But be careful, Ethan."
"Of what?"
Kairos's smile widened. "Of finding yourself in a game you can't win."
Ethan chuckled. "Funny. I was about to say the same thing to you."
And with that, the real game began.