punishing shift at the diner. The greasy scent of fried food and cheap coffee clung stubbornly to her uniform, a lingering reminder of her monotono

pe stood out, her name writte

ds sounded foreign, as though they were meant for someone else entirely. She

arkled faintly under the

ted to the Waldorf Char

surreal, like it might disappear if she gripp

e special. Just a waitress, scraping by on tips in a rundown apartment. Her life was an endless loop of double shifts an

he table. She wanted to dismiss it, her gaze kept drifting back

stunning gown, surrounded by glittering chandeliers and mingling with elegant strangers. Could

anding abruptly. "This isn'

by, the thought lingered

nto her bag and brought it to the diner, hoping her

irking as she read the car

bably some kind of mistake. Or a scam. Rich people don'

y picked you, but what if it's real? What if this is your ticket out of here?" She g

her endless grind: the sore feet, the long hours, and

don't fit in?

l you make it, babe. And hey, wha

ested on her dresser like a challenge. She sifted through her modest wardrobe, pulling out a simpl

ror, trying to silence the voice in her

hispered, though she was

Lena's breath caught. The hotel was an architectural marvel, its façade gleaming under the city light

iers bathed the space in warm, golden light, and the room

g the environment she couldn't understa

s Ob

man in a finely tailored suit, his dark hair

replied h

s hand. "I represent the foundation hosting

firm handshake. "You've been loo

piqued the interest of some very influential peo

ink there's been some kind of mista

tand soon enough," he said cryptically, before stepping as

nursing a champagne flute she had no intention of drinking. Everywhere she looked, pe

wish so she was not at ease. Every time she turned,

a, someone grabbed her arm. She gasped, s

n't be here

d. "What are you

ked into," he said, his grip tighteni

m free. But the man vanished into the crowd

eel the cool night breeze, she barely