Gavin Valentine froze for a moment before rising to offer his seat.

Sebastian Deross settled into the chair with effortless grace, his long fingers tapping lightly against the tabletop.

"And you are?" Gavin couldn't help asking.

"Sebastian Deross." The man's lips curved slightly, his voice a deep, pleasant timbre. "Of the Deross family in Rivercrest."

Ethan Roscente nearly dropped his wineglass. "The third son of Rivercrest's Deross family?"

Gavin's eyes widened as he studied the strikingly handsome man before him with disbelief.

In business circles, the Deross family rivaled the Roscentes in reputation, though slightly less powerful.

"The one and only." Sebastian's smile held a hint of something unreadable.

"I heard you were studying abroad?" Gavin pressed.

"Finished my education." Sebastian replied casually.

The private room door swung open as Jenna Roland entered with a tray of drinks.

She immediately sensed the tense atmosphere but maintained professional silence.

Sebastian's gaze lingered on Jenna. "New here?"

"You're a regular, Mr. Deross?" Gavin asked, surprised.

"An old classmate owns this place." Sebastian shrugged. "But this young lady is new to me."

Jenna kept her head down as she opened bottles, feeling the weight of an intense stare.

"Jenna Roland." She answered briefly.

"Why choose this line of work?" Sebastian asked with genuine interest.

Jenna instinctively glanced at Ethan, noting his thunderous expression.

"Money." She stated plainly.

Sebastian chuckled. "Honest."

Gavin quickly intervened. "You may leave now."

Jenna set down the glasses, stealing one last glance at Ethan before exiting.

The man hadn't spoken a word, his entire demeanor radiating icy detachment.

"Care for a drink, Mr. Roscente?" Sebastian raised his glass.

Ethan clinked glasses silently and drained his in one go.

"Feel like singing, Mr. Deross?" Gavin attempted to lighten the mood.

"Not tonight." Sebastian declined. "I'd rather discuss potential collaboration with Mr. Roscente."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.