Classicprincecj

At university, Chris is just another student—quiet, reserved, and seemingly ordinary. But behind the scenes, he’s the heir to a hidden fortune, a secret he guards fiercely.

Then there’s Skylar—a girl born into wealth, now watching her privileged world crumble as her family faces financial ruin. When she crosses paths with Chris, an unexpected connection sparks between them.

Skylar falls for him, believing he’s just a regular guy. But when her family pressures her to seek a richer suitor, Chris finds himself at a crossroads—should he reveal his true identity to fight for their love, or let her go to protect his secret?

In a world where love and wealth collide, can their relationship survive the truth?

Masked Affluence

Chris's approving smirk didn't faze me. If anything, it confirmed what I already knew—he had been expecting this.

I had learned to read him over the years, to understand the subtle shifts in his demeanor. The way his fingers tapped against the glass, the measured way he exhaled, the faint glint in his eyes when he was calculating his next move. This wasn't just an unexpected security breach to him. It was an opportunity.

And that meant he already had someone in mind.

I took another step forward, my robe swaying with the movement. "Tell me the truth, Chris. Do you already know who's behind it?"

He didn't answer immediately, but his silence spoke volumes.

"I have my suspicions," he admitted, setting his glass down. "But until Ethan brings me solid proof, I won't make a move."

I narrowed my eyes. "So you're waiting?"

"I'm watching," he corrected. "The person who did this made a mistake by underestimating us. Now, they think they have the upper hand. That makes them reckless. And reckless people make even bigger mistakes."

I exhaled through my nose. "You want them to slip up."

Chris nodded. "I want them to think they're safe. To think they got away with it. That's when we'll strike."

I understood the logic. But I didn't like it.

Every second we waited was a second our enemies could be plotting their next move. And if this was more than just an attempt to spy on Classic's marriage—**if this was the beginning of something bigger—**then waiting might cost us more than we could afford.

I moved to the side table and picked up the remnants of one of the cameras. Small. Almost invisible. Too advanced for a common spy.

I turned it over in my hand. "This isn't just about Classic and Amal. Someone is testing the Blackwood throne itself."

Chris leaned back against the desk, arms crossed. "You think it's a warning?"

"No." I met his gaze. "I think it's a challenge."

And if they wanted a war, they had chosen the wrong family to provoke.

Chris studied me again, something unreadable in his expression. Then, after a long pause, he chuckled. "You've changed."

I lifted a brow. "Did you expect me to remain the naive girl you first brought into this palace?"

His smirk deepened. "No. But I have to admit, I like this version of you."

I set the camera piece down. "Good. Because I'm not just your Queen, Chris. I'm your partner in this. And I'm telling you now—whoever did this needs to pay. Publicly. So that no one dares to challenge us again."

Chris exhaled, then gave a slow nod. "Fine. We'll do it your way."

A dark gleam flashed in his eyes. "But when the time comes… don't flinch."

Chapter 383: The Price of Defiance