Third person POV

"Why don’t you like it all of a sudden?" Alexander asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.

He remembered clearly—

Alicia had always liked those cookies.

Back then, after one of his arguments with Lilian, he had casually given the cookies to Alicia. Later, he had seen her buy them herself a few times.

He had even felt a quiet sense of satisfaction—

Thinking he had chosen something she truly liked.

"Tastes change," Alicia replied softly. "I just don’t like it anymore."

She paused briefly before adding, "I have to go now. Can you throw it away for me?"

Without waiting for his response, she turned and left.

The faint sweetness lingering in the air now felt strangely out of place.

...

After the rehearsal ended, Alexander remained seated in the audience, his expression unreadable.

Lilian noticed him and walked over.

"Alexander," she called gently, "did Alicia eat the cookies?"

Alexander glanced up at her, his gaze calm but distant.

Lilian bit her lip, her voice softening.

"I know I’ve wronged her ... I just wanted to make her happy."

For a moment, Alexander said nothing.

Then—

"She doesn’t like it," he said flatly. "Don’t send it again."

Lilian froze slightly.

"And... stay away from her."

There was no anger in his tone.

Only quiet finality.

"Alexander..." Lilian’s voice trembled faintly. "Are you blaming me too?"

He shook his head.

"No."

A brief pause followed before he added—

"I just think you should understand... she doesn’t like you."

His gaze met hers, steady and direct.

"If you stay away from her—she’ll be happier."

<<<>>>>>

At 1:50 in the afternoon, the live-stream countdown flickered across screens worldwide, sending a ripple of excitement through social media. By 2:00, the press conference began in earnest.

The LED screen at the front of the venue came alive with a polished promotional video. The camera slowly scanned the room: the space was not large, but it was tastefully arranged. Guests occupied the front rows, while media personnel lined the back. Only a handful of outsiders were present.

When the video ended, the host stepped forward, formally opening the conference and introducing the attendees. As each name was called, the camera zoomed in on the guest, capturing their every reaction.

The first name, unsurprisingly, was Alexander Blackwood, CEO of Blackwood Dominion Enterprises. The camera found him immediately. He sat upright, every movement measured. His sharp profile, tailored suit, and confident posture made him impossible to ignore. Even without speaking, he drew attention—both from the audience in the room and the viewers online.

Comments flooded in: "He’s breathtaking," one read. Another typed, "Such a jerk." The mix of admiration and disdain only heightened his presence.

After Alexander, several senior executives were introduced, each receiving polite applause. Then the spotlight shifted to Alicia Sinclair. As her name echoed through the room, all eyes—both in the venue and on the livestream—turned toward her, anticipation threading through the air.

The most widely shared video of Alicia online had always been the one where the media had ambushed her outside a hospital. The footage was shaky, poorly focused, and her exhausted expression barely discernible through the pixelation. Headlines had later used it as a "reverse comparison" to highlight Lilian’s flawless beauty.

Now, Alicia was facing the cameras officially.

She stepped onto the stage as the brand ambassador, prepared to introduce the products and greet the guests. Every detail of her appearance—carefully styled hair, precise makeup, poised posture—spoke of meticulous preparation. Despite the scrutiny of dozens of cameras, she remained composed, her calm, distant expression unshaken.

The moment Alicia appeared, the live-stream comments erupted. Some viewers praised her elegance, others criticized her every move, and a few got into heated debates. Many fans wondered why she had been chosen to appear before Lilian, adding to the online frenzy. Yet, the event’s energy only intensified, the comments streaming faster and louder with every passing second.

The frenzy continued until the camera shifted to Lilian. As the spotlight focused on her, supportive messages surged, and fans flooded the chat with compliments and admiration, a stark contrast to the earlier chaos.

The first two segments of the conference were speeches, with Alexander taking the stage to deliver his address, commanding attention in the room and on screens worldwide.

The camera cut to Alexander as he adjusted his collar, straightened his back, and walked toward the podium. His suit was flawless, every seam and fold perfectly in place.

Taking the microphone from the host, he spoke without a script.

"Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests, good afternoon. I’m Alexander. It’s a pleasure to join you today for the launch of Blackwood Dominion Enterprises’ new collection, in Éclat Beauty. On behalf of all our employees..."

His voice was calm, deliberate, and commanding, carrying a magnetic presence that drew the spotlight to him. Eyes in the room and on screens around the world followed his every move. For Alexander, public speaking was instinctive—a skill honed through years of high-stakes appearances.

It had been a speech much like this one, delivered on Park Avenue in New York , that had first thrust him into the public eye and gained him a massive following. Once he concluded, he gave a brief bow and stepped away from the podium.

The host returned to introduce the next segment: Alicia Sinclair would formally present the products. Following her presentation, two interactive sessions with the guests were planned.

Amid polite applause, Alicia rose and walked toward the stage with measured grace, coordinating with the media staff to ensure the product displays were ready. She had been intimately involved in every detail of the Éclat Beauty collection, from design to production, and knew the products inside and out.

On stage, her gaze was steady, her posture confident, as she guided the audience through the journey of Éclat Beauty’s evolution. The live-stream comments erupted once again—some praising her poise and professionalism, others stirring heated debates—but Alicia remained composed, unshaken by the chaos online.

When the product presentation concluded, it was time for the interactive segment. Guest participants were to be selected via a random draw, though Alicia already understood what the audience wanted: a hint of drama surrounding her connection to Alexander and Lilian. The draw had been subtly orchestrated—no matter the result, Alexander and Lilian would be chosen.

As the names were drawn, the comment section exploded. Viewers speculated wildly: "Could it be Alexander Blackwood or Lilian Summer?" The anticipation was electric, and the chat was dominated by the two names.

"Now, let’s reveal the first guest for the interaction," the host announced, glancing at the large screen.

The display rolled briefly before freezing. Then, in bold letters, the name "Alexander Blackwood" appeared, sending the crowd and online viewers into a frenzy. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

The host’s voice rang out with excitement. "We’re in luck today! The first draw goes to our CEO, Blackwood. Please welcome Mr. Alexander Blackwood to the stage!"

Cameras swiveled, flashes exploded, and the media’s shutters clicked in a relentless rhythm. The live-stream comment section erupted instantly:

"So fake."

"Totally scripted, right?"

"This is going to be interesting."

Alexander rose from his seat and strode onto the stage with measured grace.

"Before we begin the interaction, let’s start with a quick interview," the host continued. "Mr. Alexander Blackwood, do you happen to know what the first interactive game of the evening will be?"

Alexander shook his head. "I don’t."

He genuinely didn’t. Blackwood Dominion Enterprises had fingers in nearly every industry, managing countless brands. He attended events like this constantly, but he rarely focused on the details. Usually, he would step on stage, give a speech, and leave, his attention elsewhere.

The host smiled, leaning slightly toward the cameras. "Then I’m sure you know it involves Director Alicia, right? Tell us, Mr. Blackwood—what’s your impression of Director Alicia?".....