Chapter 4
Liam and Nina walked out of the airport terminal.
Sunlight spilled over them, and the early summer breeze was tinged with warmth.
Nina got into Liam's car, buckled her seatbelt, and watched the cityscape blur past outside the window.
The city was as she'd left it: skyscrapers, endless traffic, crowds hustling by. But she knew she wasn't the same anymore.
Five years ago, she had fled this place in disgrace, covered in burns and carrying a broken heart.
Five years later, she returned with a renewed self and a past she'd sooner forget.
Nina silently repeated the name "Hugh Frost" in her mind, without a ripple of emotion. It felt like uttering the name of some random stranger passing by.
Inside the VIP lounge, Hugh looked up, frowning as he stared toward the exit.
For a split second, he thought he saw a familiar figure: a woman in an off-white shirt, her profile looking so much like...
Hugh shook his head, thinking he was imagining things.
That person had died five years ago. He was the one who sent her to her death in the fire.
The person Hugh had been waiting for finally showed up. It was a senior executive from the partner company. They shook hands, exchanged a few pleasantries, and walked out together.
As they walked through the parking lot, Hugh glanced over at the car next to them. It was a black Porsche, pulling out of its spot.
The window was rolled down halfway, and Hugh caught a glimpse of a man's profile in the driver's seat, with a woman in the passenger seat, holding a bouquet of white flowers.
Her profile flashed by in an instant.
Hugh paused for a moment.
"Mr. Frost?" the partner asked.
"It's nothing." Hugh tore his gaze away and opened his car door. "Let's go."
*****
A week later, at the Grand Commerce Hotel's third-floor ballroom, the bid reception for the City Eye landmark design was underway.
Most of the big names in the industry were there. Champagne glasses clinked as people gathered in clusters, exchanging business cards and making polite small talk.
Nina stood by the window, holding a glass of champagne. The pale gold liquid shimmered against her slender fingers.
Tonight, she wore a black off-the-shoulder gown, revealing her collarbone and the elegant line of her shoulder.
The burn scars from five years ago, after countless skin grafts, had faded so much they were almost invisible, only a subtle pattern visible when the light hit at certain angles.
Nina made no effort to cover them up; she let them show, bold and unafraid.
"Ms. Sterling!" A middle-aged man hurried over, grinning. "Long time no see. I heard you were back. I've been hoping to invite you to dinner!"
Nina smiled and nodded. "You're too kind, Mr. Smith."
"You flatter me. With you in the competition, we're all eager to see the drama unfold. Everyone in the industry knows about your international awards; as for the City Eye, everyone expects you'll take it home."
"You're giving me too much credit, Mr. Smith. There are plenty of veterans in the field. I'm here to learn."
They exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then the man excused himself. Nina turned back to the window.
The night view from the Grand Commerce Hotel was breathtaking. The city was alive with a sea of lights, endless streams of cars weaving through the streets.
Nina remembered, five years ago, standing in some forgotten corner of this city, looking up at these towering buildings, trying to guess which window was Hugh's office.
Back then, even a glimpse of him from afar had been enough to make her happy.
Thinking about it now, she almost laughed at how small she'd made herself.
"Ms. Sterling." A voice called out from behind her.
Nina turned and saw Hugh standing a couple of steps away, holding a glass of red wine, watching her intently.
His gaze fell on Nina's face, and for a moment, Hugh seemed dazed.
She looked so much like that person in his memory. There was a subtle resemblance in her eyes and brows, but her whole presence was completely different.
That woman from his memory had always been submissive and timid, like a delicate flower needing protection.
But the woman before him had eyes as calm as still water and a posture straight and confident. She carried an air of aloofness, like a flower blooming high on a mountain: beautiful, untouchable, and out of reach.
"Mr. Frost." Nina offered a polite nod, her voice cool and distant.
Hugh snapped out of his thoughts and stepped closer. "Hope you don't mind me interrupting. I'm Hugh Frost from the Frost Group. Word is you're Nina Sterling, the designer who just came back?"
"Yes," Nina replied.
"I've been hearing your name everywhere lately." Hugh reached out his hand. "I really admire your work in Marston, especially the Lumina Museum. I actually went out of my way to see it when I was there last year."
Nina glanced at his hand, gave it a brief shake, then let go. "You flatter me, Mr. Frost."