The wine was flowing, the steak was half-devoured, and the air in the Klarian Restaurant buzzed with the clink of glasses and the murmur of well-dressed diners.
Lugh Everveil, the devilishly handsome 20-year-old with a grin that could melt glaciers, lounged in his seat, savoring the moment.
Across from him sat Jessica Snow, a vision in white whose elegance made the chandelier above them look like a cheap knockoff.
Halfway through their meal, the small talk faded, and Jessica finally steered the ship toward business.
She set down her fork with a delicate clink, her emerald eyes shimmering with a mix of hope and just a dash of pleading.
"Mr. Evervail," she began, her voice as smooth as the red wine in her glass, "I didn't just drag you out here for the food—though it's divine. I need your help with something big."
Lugh mirrored her, placing his utensils aside with a theatrical flourish.
"Lay it on me, Miss Snow. If I can help, I'm your guy."
His tone was casual, but his eyes locked onto hers, attentive and gleaming with curiosity.
Jessica leaned forward slightly, her suit rustling softly.
"Here's the deal. Our hospital's in a tight spot. We've got outdated equipment that's practically begging for retirement, and replacing it's going to run us about 120 million. Problem is, if we shell out that kind of cash upfront, the whole operation grinds to a halt. So, we're hoping to buy on credit. I'd love it if you could pull some strings with your family's business. We'll pay it back within six months, with interest—bank rates, fair and square. What do you say?"
Her sincerity was palpable, her posture practically radiating "please say yes."
Lugh nodded thoughtfully, his fingers drumming a little rhythm on the table.
"Sounds reasonable. Let me see what I can do."
With the grace of a man who'd done this a thousand times, he whipped out his phone and started tapping away.
His thumbs danced across the screen, firing off messages like a seasoned pro.
A minute later, he slipped the device back into his pocket and flashed her a triumphant grin.
"Done. I pinged our marketing director. They're on board. Swing by the office tomorrow with your paperwork, follow the usual steps, and you're golden."
Jessica blinked, her perfectly sculpted brows shooting up.
"Wait, that's it?"
"What, you expected a quest?" Lugh chuckled, leaning back with a mock-heroic pose.
"Slay a dragon, fetch a golden fleece? Nah, it's just business."
"No extra demands? No hoops to jump through?"
She tilted her head, disbelief painting her features.
Lugh's grin widened, a spark of mischief in his eyes.
"What did you think I'd ask for? Your soul? A date every Tuesday? Come on, Miss Snow—everyone hits a rough patch now and then. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. That's how the game works. I trust you'll turn Snow Enterprises around, and when you do, you'll toss some business our way. Simple."
Her face lit up like a sunrise, and she raised her wine glass with a dazzling smile.
"To you, Mr. Evervail! You're a lifesaver!"
He clinked his glass against hers, winking.
"Cheers to teamwork!"
With the big issue squared away, Jessica visibly relaxed.
She swirled her wine, her jade-like fingers cradling the glass as she studied Lugh with a teasing smirk.
"You know, you're not what the rumors paint you to be."
"Oh?" Lugh arched a brow, leaning in with mock intrigue.
"And what's the word on the street about me?"
"They say you're a spoiled rich kid—clueless, reckless, living off Daddy's credit card while causing chaos. But you?"
She shook her head, her hair catching the light like a midnight waterfall.
"You're a gentleman with a silver tongue, a brainiac who could lecture a professor, and maybe even a wise old soul who's seen it all. Which one's the real Lugh?"
He laughed, a rich, carefree sound that bounced off the restaurant walls.
"All of them!"
"All of them?" Jessica echoed, her eyes widening in playful skepticism.
"Yep! I'm the spoiled brat when I feel like it, the charming gent when it suits me, the know-it-all when I'm showing off, and the sage when I'm waxing poetic. I'm a chameleon—whatever I need to be, whenever I want to be. People can think what they like; I'm not here to impress them. I live for me."
Jessica's gaze softened, a flicker of admiration dancing in her eyes.
There was something magnetic about this guy—unapologetic, free-spirited, and utterly himself.
Her heart gave a little thud, though she masked it with a shy smile.
"Well, in that case, drop the 'Miss Snow' stuff. It's too stiff. Call me Jessica—or Jess, if you're feeling bold. I'm older than you, after all."
"Fair's fair," Lugh shot back, grinning.
"Ditch the 'Mr. Evervail' bit. Just Lugh—or Little Lugh, if you're feeling cheeky."
"Deal!" She pulled out her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen.
"Let's swap contacts. Makes life easier."
"I'll scan you," he said, already aiming his device at hers with the precision of a sharpshooter.
A quick beep later, and they were officially connected—strangers no more, now teetering on the edge of friendship.
The meal resumed with laughter and chatter, the atmosphere as warm as the candlelight flickering between them.
But Lugh's eyes kept darting to the restaurant entrance, a sly anticipation brewing beneath his casual demeanor.
Where's that protagonist, Xavier Cain? Shouldn't he be crashing the party by now?
Meanwhile, lurking in the shadows near the bar, a figure seethed with barely contained fury.
Xavier Cain, a ruggedly handsome man in sunglasses and a battered hat, gripped his drink like it owed him money.
His sharp jaw clenched as he glared at the cozy scene unfolding across the room.
Lugh and Jessica, laughing like old pals, their chemistry practically sparking in the air—it was enough to make his blood boil.
"There they go again," he snarled inwardly, his thoughts a whirlwind of venom.
"Jessica, my fiancée, flirting with that pretty-boy punk. In this life, I'll make you both pay!"
Xavier wasn't just any jealous ex.
He was the story's original protagonist, a master healer with a lineage tied to some legendary medical genius.
And like Lugh, he'd been reborn—reset to the tale's beginning, armed with every plot twist and turn from his past life.
Back then, he'd rolled into town to reunite with Jessica, his childhood betrothed.
One look at her, and he'd claimed her as his own—only to watch her slip through his fingers.
In that first life, he'd tailed her to this very dinner, seen her cozying up to Lugh, and lost his cool.
With his skills and swagger, he'd figured he could crush the rich kid in a heartbeat.
Big mistake.
Lugh had outplayed him at every turn, turning their rivalry into a one-sided smackdown.
Jessica drifted further away, and Xavier's pride—and sanity—took a nosedive.
But now?
Rebirth was his ace in the hole.
He knew the script, and he wasn't about to lose again.
"I, Xavier Cain, swear it," he muttered under his breath, his eyes blazing.
"Lugh Everveil, you'll crash and burn. I'll bankrupt you, leave you begging on the streets, and make you choke on every smug word you've ever said. And Jessica? She's mine—always will be."
His gaze hardened as he zeroed in on the pair.
This dinner was a pivotal moment.
In the original timeline, it sparked a partnership between Lugh and Jessica, their bond growing stronger with every meeting.
If Xavier wanted to rewrite history, he had to sabotage it—now.
And he had the perfect plan.
Step one: make Lugh sick.
Step two: let the Everveil family pin the blame on Jessica.
Step three: watch their deal collapse.
Then, when Snow Enterprises hit rock bottom, Xavier would swoop in with his miraculous healing skills, win Jessica's heart, and secure her family's loyalty. Flawless.
A thin needle glinted between his fingers—a tool of his trade.
Doctors could save lives, sure, but they could also ruin them.
One prick, and Lugh would be out of commission.
Timing was everything.
With a swig of his drink for courage, Xavier stumbled forward, playing the part of a drunken patron.
His steps wobbled, his hat tipped low, and he barreled toward their table, needle poised for action.
Lugh caught the commotion out of the corner of his eye and turned, his brows lifting in surprise.
"Well, well, Xavier Cain's finally here. What's with the sloppy drunk act? Guy looks like he's auditioning for a bad comedy."
He shrugged inwardly, a grin tugging at his lips.
"Whatever. He's here, and that means it's showtime. Let's see how this wish pans out."
Excitement bubbled in his chest as he leaned back, casual as ever.
"System, I make a wish…"