Zane Ernesto, son of Theo and Isabella Ernesto, is the heir to the Ernesto family.
Even though the Ernesto Corporation is a well-known company in the country and Zane is its sole heir, he still wanted to build something of his own. So, at just 16 years old, with his father's help, he started his own entertainment company—OvalSky Entertainment.
In just three years, OvalSky became one of the biggest entertainment companies in the country, producing dozens of films and TV series, making millions in business.
Zane, now CEO of OvalSky, is young and handsome—one of the reasons many of the company's celebrities hover around him. The media loves to stir the pot, often snapping his pictures even when he sneezes, posting them to official forums with exaggerated captions.
He's a well-known rich heir in high society, always surrounded by second-generation elites and pretty women.
His father, Theo, doesn't appreciate the media ruining his son's reputation with outrageous headlines like:
[Hot: OvalSky's CEO Spotted Outside Famous Actress's Home — Another Late-Night Adventure?]
[Hot: Actress Aila Holsen caught kissing Zane Ernesto—are they dating?]
[Hot: (Dinner Gone Wrong) Rich heir and CEO of OvalSky smashes beer bottles on Jiang Corp's CEO during business dinner!]
[Hot: Playboy heir of the Ernesto family reportedly sleeping with company models and celebrities!]
[Hot: Zane Ernesto Caught in Heated Argument with Father — Trouble in the Ernesto Empire?]
And the list goes on.
Theo sighed and glared at his son.
"Son, you are not allowed to marry any of those fake women in your company. They're not welcome in my home."
Zane stared at his father. "Who said I'm marrying any of them, Dad?"
"Right, Dad. Brother is just fulfilling his ne—" Zara tried to joke but stopped as Zane shot her a glare.
Isabella shook her head. "Theo, are you sure it's a good idea? You don't even know that Lannister girl that well. How can you be sure she's not just another high-society woman chasing power?"
Theo glanced at his wife. "I know a diamond when I see one. Didn't I pick you from the crowd during our first meeting? Are you saying my judgment is wrong?" He raised an eyebrow.
Isabella rubbed her temples, knowing too well that once Theo made up his mind, he wouldn't change it easily.
Zane stood up abruptly. "That's enough, Dad. I'm not marrying some Lannister girl. I don't even know who she is, and I'm not interested. It's late. I've got an early meeting tomorrow. Good night, everyone."
He turned and walked off.
"Her name is Levina Lannister, Zane! And sooner or later, you will marry her," Theo called after him.
Zane didn't stop. He walked out of the family house, muttering, "Levina Lannister," as he reached his car.
He had to find out what magic this Levina girl held that his father was so desperate to make her his daughter-in-law.
Gritting his teeth, he started his engine and drove away to his private mansion.
---
Meanwhile, at Ivy's house…
After returning from her father's birthday party, Ivy washed up quickly and slipped into her pajamas. She applied moisturizer and patted her face.
"Ahh... finally, time to sleep," she sighed and flopped onto her bed on her stomach.
Just as she closed her eyes, her phone rang.
Ivy frowned. "What the—" she picked up her phone. It was Ayna. "Why is she calling this late?"
Ivy has two high school friends: Ayna Bonovel and Ziudith Lin. Ayna is a second-generation heiress, while Ziudith is a doctor. The three of them remained close even after their high school years.
"Ay—"
"Ivy! Help! I'm dying here!" Ayna bawled like a child before Ivy could even finish her name.
Ivy sat up, alarmed. "What do you mean dying? Where are you?"
"At Zenis Pub. Come quickly!"
Ivy grit her teeth. She drank again...
It was past two in the morning, and her friend was crying at a bar. What could she do?
She tossed her phone aside, quickly threw on fresh clothes, and left.
---
Half an hour later…
Ivy arrived at Zenis Pub and spotted Ayna sitting at the bar, head down, clutching a beer bottle. Her cheeks were stained with dried tears.
Ivy pushed through the crowd—this place was still bustling despite the late hour. Zenis Pub was one of the hottest clubs in the city, a popular spot for rich heirs and women looking to catch their attention.
When Ayna saw Ivy, she burst into louder sobs. "Ivy!" she cried, hugging her tightly.
Ivy sighed. "Ayna, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? And why are you crying?"
"I... I got dumped!" Ayna wailed.
Ivy pinched the bridge of her nose. "You're crying because you got dumped?"
"No, that's not all. My father arranged for me to marry Nick Han, the heir of the Han family."
"So?" Ivy raised a brow.
"So?! Ivy, don't you know, that guy is a total scumbag? He sleeps around and makes disgusting remarks about women's bodies—how can I marry someone like that?"
Ivy narrowed her eyes. "Then tell your father. He probably doesn't know about this side of Nick."
Ayna bawled louder.
Ivy stared blankly. "Keep crying and I'll dump you too."
Ayna "...."
"Why does your dad want you to marry that jerk, anyway?"
Ayna wiped her tears. "Nick saw me somewhere—I don't even know where—and he started stalking me. When I rejected him, he went to my dad and threatened him. He said if my dad doesn't marry me off to him, our company will go bankrupt. We're no match for the Han family... Ivy, I don't want to marry him! What should I do?"
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I didn't want to bother you. I'm sorry."
Ivy gritted her teeth. These rich brats think they can do anything.
"Where is he now?"
"I... I don't know."
"Do you have his number?"
"No, but I can ask my friends."
"Good. Get it. We're going to have a little chat."
A few minutes later, Ayna got his number. "He said he's here—in Room 7."
Ivy raised an eyebrow. "Then let's go."
---
Inside Room 7...
The room reeked of alcohol and perfume. Several men and women lounged on couches, draped over each other. In the middle sat Nick, holding a whiskey glass, a woman in a short skirt perched beside him, his hand on her thigh. Slow music played while some women danced.
The door burst open.
Everyone turned.
A tall man with tattoos, Feng, growled, "Are you lost, pretty ladies?"
Before Ivy could respond, Nick's voice rang out. "Feng, let them in. They're my guests."
Nick smirked. "Well, well. Miss Ayna Bonovel finally initiates a meeting. What a pleasant surprise. Please, sit."
Ivy and Ayna sat across from him.
"Mr. Han," Ivy said firmly, "may I ask you a question?"
Nick turned toward her. "And who are you, miss?"
"Not important. What is important is—why are you stalking my friend Ayna and threatening her father? Didn't your mother teach you to respect women?"
Feng's eyes narrowed. "You've got guts to come here and insult our boss. Do you want to walk out of here or not?"
"Boss, let me teach her a lesson—"
"Feng," Nick interrupted, raising a hand.
Feng fell silent, glaring at Ivy. But she didn't flinch.
Ayna whispered, "Ivy, what are you doing? They're local gangsters—dangerous!"
Ivy smiled. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
She turned to Nick. "My friend doesn't like you. She doesn't want to marry you. Please stop stalking and harassing her, Mr. Han."
Nick chuckled, amused. "And if I don't?"
"Then I'll have to teach you a lesson."
The room erupted in laughter.
"You've got spirit," Feng laughed.
Nick leaned forward. "Alright then. What are you offering in return?"
His eyes raked over her. "How about this—you spend the night with me, and I'll let your friend go."
Ivy's smile vanished.
Ayna's eyes widened.