Three years ago, Fay Hugh, Commander of Vortex, was unexpectedly injured. A misunderstanding led her to believe that Noel Bruce was her savior, igniting a love for him that would change her life. She concealed her identity, setting up a humble stall in the marketplace, opting to live a simple life with him. However, Noel, burdened by gambling debts, conspired with his mistress, Joe Watt, to sell Fay to a local bully. Just as the bully arrived to claim her at her stall, her three long-lost brothers found her whereabouts and travelled thousands of miles to reach the marketplace.
Born into a prestigious family, Atlas Bailey's mother was deceived into marriage by Beau Ortiz's father, ultimately falling ill due to a scheme involving Beau's father and his mistress that led to her untimely death. After leaving home during college to establish his own company, Atlas is later sought out by his mother's family, prompting him to adopt his mother's surname and name. Returning to Clayfair City, he meticulously orchestrates a business strategy to bankrupt his deceitful father while secretly working under the name Atlas Bailey to reclaim his mother's company.
Ruby and Steven fell in love in high school but separated due to family feuds. Ruby initiated the breakup; Steven agreed, believing she'd discovered his father's role in her father's death. Afterward, Steven changed his surname to Gibson, founded Gibson Tech, while Ruby became a freelance writer. Though never contacting her, Steven monitored Ruby's life, learning of her workplace harassment resignation and continued single status. Now successful, he orchestrates her business trip to the city of Syntherra. They reunite, but Ruby mistakenly thinks he's married and withdraws. Even after clearing this misunderstanding, unresolved family conflicts keep her distant. Steven persists, proposing cohabitation without publicity and dating without marriage discussions. Still deeply in love, Ruby succumbs to his gentle persistence, agreeing to a short-term relationship.