The morning sunlight spread across Ravenwood University's expansive campus, warming the stone walkways and glass buildings as students flooded onto the grounds. The start of a new semester always brought fresh excitement—new relationships, parties, rumours, and endless possibilities.

But for most students, the most captivating sight wasn’t a classroom—it was “Evangeline Scott.”

At that moment, a sleek red Mercedes glided into the parking lot, and conversations quieted.

All eyes immediately turned.

“There she is.”

“Oh my God, she's even more beautiful in person.”

“Do you think she’s seeing anyone?”

“I heard a senior brought her flowers yesterday, but she tossed them away.”

The whispers followed Evie as she elegantly stepped out of the car, embodying the regal presence of the Scott princess.

She appeared effortlessly perfect. Her long dark hair cascaded in short waves over her shoulders, while her large doe eyes looked both innocent and bold.

Her oversized cream sweater slipped casually off one shoulder, combined with a short black skirt and knee-high boots that elongated her legs. She wasn’t dressed provocatively, yet all eyes seemed to be on her.

Evie adjusted the strap of her designer bag before walking calmly towards campus like she couldn’t hear any of the whispers that surrounded her. She was used to it already.

At twenty–one, she had spent years being admired, watched, desired, but never touched.

“Untouchable” was the name students secretly gave to her, not because she acted arrogantly, but because no one could ever get close enough to matter.

“Evie!” Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

Lila Monroe hurried towards her with two iced coffees in her hand, her curly brown hair bouncing behind her.

“You are late,” Lila complained dramatically before handing her a drink. “And before you ask…yes, three different guys were asking where you were this morning.”

Evie sighed tiredly, “Why are Men so exhausting?”

Lila almost choked on her coffee. “You say that because you look like a literal angel and reject every guy who breathes near you.”

Evie laughed softly. “You exaggerate too much Lila.”

“No I don't.” Lila looped her arm through Evie’s.

“Seriously, what is wrong with you? Damien Cole has been chasing you for months. Half the girls on campus are obsessed with him.

Evie took a slow sip of her drink. “He is not my type.”

Lila stared at her suspiciously. “At this point, I'm convinced that nobody is your type.”

Evie’s finger tightened slightly around her cup. That wasn't true. Unfortunately, there was someone, someone she could never have. And that was exactly why no other man had ever interested her.

As they walked through campus, students openly stared. Some smiled nervously at Evie while others whispered into their phone.

A group of basketball players passed by before one of them boldly called out, “Looking beautiful as always, Evie.”

She smiled politely without slowing down.

Lila leaned closer, “See? If I looked like you, I'd be unstoppable.”

Evie shook her head. If only beauty could fix the kind of feelings she had buried inside her. Because no amount of attention from other men could erase the fact that every night before sleeping, the only person she thought about was Aiden—her brother.

The thought alone filled her chest with guilt and longing.

Aiden Scott had raised her for most of her life after their parents became emotionally distant. He spoiled her endlessly, protected her obsessively, and gave her every ounce of affection she craved.

Somewhere along the line, her innocent admiration has turned to something dangerous. Something shameful. Something she could never admit out loud.

“Earth to Evie,” Lila said, nudging her. “You zoned out again.”

“Hmm?”

Before Lila could respond, someone stepped directly into their path. Damien Cole, the campus gold boy. Tall, charming, rich and painfully confident.

His blonde hair looked perfectly messy, and his easy grin immediately made nearby girls stare and drool over him. “Morning, beautiful,” He said casually.

Lila smirked under her breath. “I'm leaving before this gets embarrassing.”

“Lila,” Evie warned.

But her friend only laughed and walked ahead.

Damien shoved his hands in his pockets, “You ignored my texts.”

“You sent numerous messages.”

“And you ignored all of them?”

Evie sighed softly. “Maybe that was your answer.”

“Ouch.” He pressed a hand dramatically against his chest.”You’re cruel.”

“You will survive.”

Instead of looking offended, Damien smiled widely at her. “That's what I like about you, every other girl acts weirdly around me.

“Maybe because you flirt with everyone.”

“I only flirt with girls worth flirting with.”

Evie rolled her eyes lightly and continued walking, but Damien followed beside her effortlessly.

“There’s a party tonight at my penthouse,” he said.

“Come with me.”

“No.”

“You didn’t even think about it.”

“I don’t need to.”

Damien laughed quietly. “Do you reject every guy automatically?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Evie finally stopped walking. For a moment, something unreadable crossed her face, because she couldn’t tell him exactly the truth.

That every time another man touched her hand or looked at her for too long, all she could think about was how none of them would ever compare to Aiden.

“You’re nice Damien,” she said gently. “But you are not what I want.”

For the first time since meeting her, Damien looked genuinely curious. “What do you want then?”

Before she could answer, her phone vibrated in her hand. The moment she looked at the screen her expression changed completely. Her eyes softened, her lips curved slightly. And suddenly she looked less, like the cold Untouchable girl everyone feared to approach and more like someone hopelessly in love.

Damien noticed immediately. “So there is someone,” he murmured.

Evie ignored the comment and opened the message.

Aiden:I'm outside, come here.

Her heart skipped. It's very ridiculous how one text from him could affect her entire mood.

“I have to go,” she said quickly.

“Class starts soon.”

“I know.” Without another explanation, Evie turned and hurried towards the front gate.

Damien watched her leave with narrowed eyes. Something about that reaction bothered him.

Meanwhile, Lila caught up beside Evie again.

“You smile at your phone more than you smile at actual humans,” she teased.

Evie tried hiding her expression. “It’s nothing.”

“Mhm.”

The moment they stepped outside the campus entrance, students nearby immediately slowed down. Some openly gasped.

Because parked near the sidewalk was a sleek black Rolls-Royce worth more than most people’s futures.

And leaning against it was Aiden Scott himself.

Even from a distance, he commanded attention effortlessly. Tall, broad shoulders, he looked like an Adonis in his dark tailored suit.

There was a striking shine in the gentle sunlight. He seemed less like a typical businessman and more like someone others might instinctively be wary of…Which they did.

New York practically worshipped Aiden Scott.

At thirty-one, he owned one of the largest business empires in the country. The media constantly followed his life—his ruthless deals, endless wealth, and notorious relationships with models and actresses.

Playboy, cold-hearted CEO, the Devil of Wall Street. People called him many things. But Evie only saw one thing, home.

The moment Aiden noticed her approaching, his expression softened almost invisibly. “There’s my angel.”

That nickname should not affect her that much.

Yet it did every single time.

Lila greeted him awkwardly. “Mr Scott.”

Aiden gave a small nod before his attention returned immediately to Evie.

“You skipped work to pick me up?” she asked.

“I had meetings nearby.”

Evie almost smiled. Aiden Scott never had meetings “nearby.” He simply liked seeing her.

His gaze slowly scanned her appearance before narrowing slightly. “That skirt is shorter than usual.”

Lila nearly choked trying not to laugh.

Evie crossed her arms defensively. “And there it is.”

“What is?”

“The overprotective brother lecture.”

Aiden ignored that completely. “Did you eat?”

“Yes.”

“Properly?”

“Yes, Aiden.”

“Why do I feel like you’re lying?”

“Because you’re being dramatic.”

A faint smirk appeared on his lips. That rare smile alone made her stomach flutter dangerously.

Then Aiden’s eyes shifted past her shoulder. His expression hardened instantly.

Evie turned slightly and realised Damien had followed them outside. Watching them.

Aiden’s jaw tightened subtly. “Who’s that?”

“Just someone from school, he is not important.”

“Why’s he staring at you like that?”

Evie rolled her eyes. “Because he has eyes.”

Aiden didn’t look amused.

Damien eventually walked closer, completely unaware of the tension forming. “Hey, Evie…”

He stopped when he fully recognised that he stood beside her.

Even confident men became careful around Aiden Scott.

Damien extended his hand politely. “Damien Cole.”

Aiden looked at the hand for a moment before shaking it once. Firm, cold, and intimidating. “Aiden Scott.”

The air suddenly felt heavier.

Damien forced a smile. “Evie was just telling me about…”

“She wasn’t,” Aiden interrupted calmly.

Lila stared between them nervously. Evie wanted the ground to open up and swallow her at that moment.

Aiden’s arm moved behind her waist possessively, guiding her toward the car without even realising how intimate the gesture looked. “She has somewhere to be,” he said smoothly.

Damien’s eyes flickered briefly toward Aiden’s hand on her waist before he stepped back.“Right. See you around, Evie.”

Once Damien walked away, Evie looked up at Aiden. “You scared him.”

“That was the plan.”

“Aiden.”

“What?” He opened the passenger door for her. “I don’t like the way he looks at you.”

Her heart beat faster at the possessiveness in his voice. It shouldn't but it did and that's why it's a problem.

Because while every man on campus wanted Evangeline Scott…The only man she wanted was the one she could never have.