Chapter 1

The R&D for the X-45 nuclear fusion project was finally over. I was heading back home to Skyfall City on the earliest flight, clutching the classified fission reaction model.

Before I could even deliver it to the base, I collided with a slender figure.

The prototype shattered into a million pieces. The reaction files―years of my life―were kicked into a filthy sewer by her.

I demanded an apology, but Silas Sterling's cousin just spat at my feet.

"Look at my limited-edition heels. They're covered in mud because of you. Lick them clean!"

"Who do you think you are? In Skyfall City, everyone knows the Sterlings own the sky and the earth. One word from Silas and you're dead meat!"

I looked at the two of them with cold eyes and dialed my mentor's number.

"The X-45 core technology... it's been destroyed."

1

The moment I stepped off the plane, my mother called to nag me. She wanted me to hurry home after delivering the files.

Ever since someone leaked that I was involved in nuclear defense research, suitors had been lining up at our door.

Among them was the wealthiest family in Skyfall City―the Sterlings.

"Mr. Sterling senior said your technical expertise could really help their family business. Apparently, Silas Sterling is a real catch. You better play your cards right!"

I brushed her off. But before I could exit the terminal, a girl slammed into me.

The model shattered instantly. The classified documents scattered across the floor, only to be trampled by the bodyguards behind her.

"What is this junk? It scratched my finger! Throw it all in the gutter!" she shrieked.

Those were top-secret national documents!

I screamed in horror, but I wasn't fast enough. I watched helplessly as she tossed the folders into a muddy puddle.

She was the one walking the wrong way, yet she was acting like the victim.

"You're the girl Silas is supposed to meet, aren't you? You look like a total charity case. Why are you playing the intellectual?"

"My shoes are ruined. Lick them clean right now, and maybe I'll let you go."

Ha! What a joke.

I stared her down and demanded an apology. I needed her to find a way to restore those files immediately.

Evie Vance just burst out laughing and swung her hand, landing a sharp slap on my face.

My cheek burned like fire.

"Do you even know who we are? The Vances are royalty here! Silas Sterling is my cousin. No one in this city dares to cross him. And you want an apology?"

She was decked out in designer jewelry from head to toe. Meanwhile, I was just in a plain white tee and shorts. I looked ordinary, sure.

But being rich didn't give her the right to be a psycho.

Especially when she just destroyed high-level national security documents!

Fury surged through me. I didn't think twice―I slapped her right back.

The crowd of onlookers gasped in unison.

"Oh my god, that's the Vance princess! Did that girl just hit her?"

"Everyone knows Silas loves his cousin more than life itself. He'll go feral when he sees this!"

I didn't care.

I rushed to the gutter, fishing out the documents and trying to wipe them dry.

But the ink was smearing, and the words were becoming illegible. The model was a total loss.

My mentor had been waiting for me. If he found out everything was ruined because of this brat, he'd lose his mind.

I sighed in frustration. Behind me, Evie was screaming like a banshee.

"Madeline Hart! You're a dead woman! I'm calling Silas right now. He's going to dump you and make you crawl on your knees!"

Fine. Let him come. Someone had to pay for this, and my prototype wouldn't die for nothing.

"Evie Vance, you better apologize and come with me to the research base to confess. Otherwise, you won't be able to handle the consequences."

Just as I said that, a tall figure appeared at the end of the terminal.

Silas Sterling, dressed in a charcoal-grey suit, radiated pure intimidation. His gaze was like ice.

"I was wondering who had such a big mouth," he sneered.

He walked up to me, his presence suffocating.

"So, you're the one my father wants me to marry? Madeline Hart?"