ck envelope on Sophia's studio desk just as she w

stationery that had been embossed: "Ms. Lynns I'd like to invite you to the annual charity gala for the Hawke Foundation. It's cr

trepidation, Sophia read the note three times. The

how different their lifestyles are? Her progress was stil

ring into his world, if only for a night,

a bundle of nerves. She had chosen a deep emerald go

makeup gave her a sense of confid

he door out for her, feeling the subtle ar

e for her as the automobile twis

t of the city, and its gorgeous ballroom was fille

the sheer scale of the ev

e mingled, their laughter and cha

and trays of champagne, waite

cented with wealth and power. Lucas stood close to

expressing effortless confidence as

oon as their eyes locked. "Sophia," he calle

ing up her neck. At least, she is getting used to him

e, he held out a

troduced her to several well-known people, including politicians, philanthropists, and CEOs

nns," with a tone of subdued pride.

neasy. The compliments felt hollow, and th

were sizing her up, curious

oman remarked, "What a coup it is to h

Sophia for a beat too long,

politely, but their remarks m

e didn't understand, and Lucas, for all

er breath. The cool night air was a nice relief from the stu

ike stars. Leaning on the railing, she attempted to make sense of the

d to see Lucas standing in the do

owledged. "This...isn

"It's not always easy to navigate thi

weight to his words that she couldn't ignore.

of this now, whether you realize it or not. To build something ge

a scowled. Before she could say anything more, a wa

"Stay as long as you need.

spectator than a participant. She could now feel the undercurrents of powe

terrupting her thoughts. He was tall and slim

cy, calculating eyes. His voice was l

tion. "Yes," she

his tone lowering to a

eat accelerated

in a lengthy discussion on the other side of the

ock his words put her in, he turned and vanis

le strange people warning her about Lucas? And without any logical reason? Was she supposed to run now and return

alent without con