CHAPTER 1: THE PILOT'S ARRIVAL
CHAPTER 1: THE PILOT'S ARRIVAL
The restaurant fell silent.
Vanessa's triumphant smile remained frozen on her face as every head turned toward the entrance.
A man dressed in a perfectly tailored pilot uniform stood in the doorway. His posture was rigid, his expression professional.
Without hesitation, he walked through the sea of wealthy guests and stopped directly beside Andrew.
Then he bowed.
"Sir, your helicopter is ready."
The words hit the room like thunder.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Vanessa blinked.
"What?"
The pilot calmly handed Andrew a tablet.
"The board meeting in Singapore has been moved forward, sir. The chairman and the investors are already waiting."
Andrew glanced at the screen.
"I'll be there shortly."
His voice remained as calm as ever.
Vanessa stared at him.
Singapore?
Board meeting?
Investors?
Nothing made sense.
This wasn't the behavior of a struggling man desperately trying to marry into wealth.
Andrew slowly closed the velvet ring box.
The proposal was over.
The future he once imagined with Vanessa disappeared with a simple click.
For the first time that evening, Andrew looked directly into her eyes.
Not with anger.
Not with sadness.
Just disappointment.
A disappointment that somehow hurt far more.
"You were right about one thing," he said quietly.
Vanessa swallowed.
"W-what?"
"We don't belong in the same world."
The words pierced deeper than any insult.
Before she could answer, Andrew turned and walked away.
The pilot followed behind him.
The restaurant guests watched in stunned silence as the two men disappeared through the doors.
Moments later, the distant sound of helicopter blades echoed across the city skyline.
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And for the first time in years...
Vanessa felt small.
