-

extravagant ballroom. The room buzzed with the hum of cultured voices and the soft strains of a string quartet.

n this world. Clutching her champagne flute as if it were a lifeline, her knuckles whitened while her eyes sca

g quickened, and though every instinct urged her to fade into the shadows, her curiosity tethered her to

rd. Each step of her heels echoed in her ears, unnervingly

Acci

n raised, shoulders squared, projecting calm confidence

ng its golden contents across the

er cheeks instantly flu

He raised his hands slightly, as though appraising the extent of the stain. Aro

this would

she stammered, turning t

alm yet tinged with amusement. "No

rk played on his lips. He was strikingly handsome-chiseled jaw, effortless

her voice trembling slightly. "I

, or is tonight a special occasion

ing her? Her embarrassment twisted into mild irrit

ing his hand as though the collisi

ried weight-host of the gala, billionaire, and a m

his hand. Her fingers felt small

ay to make an introduction." His eyes gleamed, studying her with an

rld's

f women nearby whispered behind jeweled hands, their stares sharp with judgment. Others smil

ed her shoulders back and tried to rega

till light. "If I took every small mish

belong here. The borrowed dress, her fragile confidence-

p asked suddenly, his tone shif

too direct. "I was invited," she replied defensivel

more. "No offense, but you don't seem li

"And what's that

his expression unreadabl

k black gown approached. She rested a manicured hand on Phili

waiting," she said, sparing Lena a

ena for a moment longer bef

olite yet distant. "Enjoy the gala.

ay, leaving her alone a

quiet corner near the bar. She ordered another drink, de

he forced smiles, the subtle glances, the way people hung on

of the room, two men in dark suits exchanged a small package. The handoff was so

was

oser, weaving through the crowd as inconspicuously as possible

ld stay put. This wasn't her worl

t felt significant-more so than h

y. Her heels tapped softly against the marble

ightly ajar. Light spilled into the di

ser, careful not to make a sound.

lier. On the table before them lay the open p

lip said firmly. "If this lea

ly grasp what she was witnessing, but

etreat, the floor

inside fe

ilip's tone was s

as too late. The door swung open, and Phil

at," he said, his voice col

the weight of his stare. She had stumbled into something f

d? And how far would P