pte

ransforming the night into a glittering battleground of whispers and speculations. The world of high society was cruel that way, its charm lay in its polish,

es, their hands briskly tapping away on their phones, crafting the headlines that would spread her humiliation before dawn. Mia

at didn't reach her eyes, and ignored the sharp sting of whispered conversations trailing behind her. Beat

e!" Beatrice said, her words

she replied, her tone light, as though she found the situation amusing instead of heartb

owever, her mind churned. "Ethan Meyers". The name echoed relentlessly in her thoughts. He wasn't just a stranger; he wa

Samuel's hand resting on Ethan's shoulder with an ease that made her stomach twist. It was a gesture

cold and empty. Samuel approached her, his expression softer, but she knew it was ca

s tone quiet. "I know thi

oice stayed calm but sharp. "Surpr

her to follow him. "Com

had always felt more like a war room than a place for family, but tonight it

ted, his voice measured. "I just n

" she asked coldly. "Was the middle of my birthda

his desk. "It was necessary. For the com

y future?" Her voice sharpened. "The future y

han stood there, hesitant, his posture unsure. "Father,"

n," he said warmly. "There's no need to hesitate

t didn't feel real. She turned to look at Ethan, her f

his voice careful. "It's

face unreadable. Ins

ight of what he represented but didn't know what to do with it. He hadn't asked to be thrust into her world

orn apart the life she thought she had. But Mia wasn't ready to break. Not

ld tell him how to navigate this minefield. "This is... a lot to take in, I guess," he offered, his

could peel back the layers of his presence and unearth something that would explain this monumenta

e now," he said, his voice as steady and calm as though he were reporting quarterly earnings to the boar

ent' being when you decided your only daughter wasn't good enough to take over what she's worked her whole li