But as Lily brushed past Alex and ran toward Ethan, Alex felt, for the first time, the crushing pain of losing everything.
Lily was still the princess, but the prince was no longer him.
Perhaps it had never been him in the first place.
The celebration at the Carter residence continued despite the earlier commotion. The servants led Lily to a guest bedroom to change clothes.
After putting on a clean, fresh dress, Lily didn't immediately leave. Instead, she stood by the window.
From this vantage point, she could see the swimming pool below. A large group of guests was surrounding Alex and Alice. Alex was pouring champagne into glasses on a tower, his face wearing a faint smile.
Everyone clapped enthusiastically.
"Congratulations, Mr. Carter, on becoming the second-largest shareholder of Carter International!"
"Congratulations! Congratulations!"
Fireworks burst into the sky at just the right moment.