New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 305 Royal Ascot

Adrian stepped out of the sleek black car, taking a deep breath as he glanced around. The Royal Ascot was buzzing with excitement. The soft hum of chatter mixed with the clinking of champagne glasses, and the air was filled with the scent of freshly cut grass and expensive perfume.

He straightened his tailored morning coat, the rich blue fabric shining under the midday sun. He looked almost identical to the dozens of men scattered around the venue, all dressed to impress.

Adrian couldn't help but smile. This was his element. The Royal Ascot was one of his favorite events, right up there with Wimbledon, but with a lot more horses and a lot more hats. Speaking of hats, he adjusted the top hat in his hand, matching his coat perfectly. It was his grandfather's influence that got him here year after year. Being a big shot in the business world had its perks, and an invitation to the Ascot was one of them.

"Adrian, old chap!" came a booming voice from nearby. Adrian turned to see Henry, the Viscount, beaming at him. Beside him stood Prince Edward, looking equally pleased but with a mischievous grin on his face. Both of them are his best mates. "Henry! Edward!" Adrian greeted them, shaking Henry's hand firmly.

"Hey, mate, how have you been?" Edward gives him a bro hug despite him being a prince.

"It's been too long. Business has been keeping me busy. You know how it is with the old man's company."

Edward rolled his eyes dramatically, taking a sip of whiskey from the tumbler in his hand. "Business, business, business. You're going to give yourself wrinkles before you hit thirty at this rate," he teased, wagging a finger at Adrian.

Adrian couldn't help but laugh. "Says the guy who thinks it's not too early to drink whiskey." He eyed the glass in Edward's hand.

Edward grinned, that charming, troublemaker smile of his lighting up his face. "There's no such thing as 'too early' in my vocabulary. Life's too short to wait for noon to have a drink."

Henry shook his head, a smile tugging on his lips. "Ignore him, Adrian. He's like a child most of the time."

"Well, technically, he is the youngest here," Adrian pointed out with a chuckle. "How's it going, being the baby of the group?"

Edward puffed out his chest, mock offended. "I may be 23, but I'm living life to the fullest, unlike you two old men." He took another sip of whiskey, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You need to live a little, Adrian before you end up regretting all the things you didn't do."

As they strolled along, Edward's eyes caught on three beautiful women passing by. He threw them a wink, and they giggled, whispering to each other as they looked back at him. Henry and Adrian shared a look and burst out laughing.

"Edward, you really think you're God's gift to women, don't you?" Adrian teased.

replied with a smirk, taking a deep bow in the direction

"I'll leave that to you, mate. Just don't drink too much, or you'll

on the back. "He's got a

whiskey. "You two worry too much. I'm fine. Besides, what's the point of these events if you don't

about to begin. Edward leaned on the railing, scanning the track with an excited gleam in

"Number seven? You're just

a lucky number if

I'm putting my money on number three. That horse looks strong and steady." Adrian glanced between them, then shrugged. "I'll go with number five. I like the name - Midnight Thunder. Sounds powerful." "Midnight

till you see it win!" Adrian shot back, a

his best mate takes this

and

placed his empty glass on a nearby tray and snatched a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. He took a sip, savoring the bubbles, then scanned the crowd again. That's when his eyes landed on a woman

area. His jaw dropped a little, and he could hardly believe how beautiful

whispered, completely lost in her

turned to Edward. "Right, Ed?

mesmerized, answered, "I

angel, huh?" Henry teased, raising an eyebrow. "Do we need to

seriously!" Edward insisted, gesturing dramatically. "You guys

his eyes but chuckling. "Show us the angel,

with his head. "There. The woman in

and Adrian both

her. It was Claire. She looked stunning, way more

r to Phim

didn't even

would be attending the