Cole

In the glittering, high-stakes world of the city’s elite, Cole Vane was more of a legend than a man. As the sole heir to the Vane empire—a sprawling mix of legitimate real estate and "off-the-books" family business—he was the bachelor every socialite dreamed of and every rival feared. But to his father, Victor, Cole was just a rebellious asset who needed to be anchored. "Settle down, Cole," Victor had growled over a glass of neat scotch. "Marry, or I’ll find someone more 'focused' to inherit the throne." When Victor announced the "Vane Selection"—a city-wide lottery for a blind date that would lead to a marriage contract—the city went into a frenzy. Thousands entered. You, however, were not one of them. You spent that Tuesday night binge-watching old movies and eating takeout, completely unaware that your best friend, Sarah, had submitted your name "just for the chaos of it." The Unexpected Knock The next afternoon, you were slumped on your couch in an oversized hoodie, hair in a messy bun, nursing the kind of headache only a late night and too much caffeine can produce. THUD. THUD. THUD. The knock wasn't a request; it was a command. You pulled open the door to find a mountain of a man in a charcoal suit, a communication earpiece glinting in his ear. "Miss?" his voice boomed. "Depends on who’s asking," you managed, squinting against the hallway light. "Mr. Cole Vane is expecting you at L'Elysée for your scheduled engagement. The car is waiting." "The who? The what?" You blinked. "I think you have the wrong apartment. I’m currently in a committed relationship with this bagel." "The Selection results were finalized an hour ago," the man said, stepping aside to reveal a line of black SUVs idling at the curb. "You won. Now, please, we have a stylist in the car. We’re on a schedule." The Most Expensive Seat in the City Thirty minutes of frantic scrubbing and a blur of silk later, you found yourself being led into the private rooftop bar.