red at the gala, Velia found herself seated next to

flickered by, the tension with

Lucas Hernandez's loyal fiancée, an

g now-arms crossed, gaze fixed ahead, jaw ti

into fists on h

hesit

dged with disappointment,

iffened.

e met," he said, turning his head slight

w a woman like Margaret wouldn't notice even t

ed," she sai

es darkene

a child by his tone. Her c

bout your life in one day," she snap

as his jaw jerked. Instead, he leaned in c

it, Miss Howell. Because one sl

breath

a warning. It

his to him for the first time s

sn't a

ding his career, his reputation, and

lia had already

tered a world where a single mis

-

the Pe

ved at the penthouse,

he kicked off her heels

this every day," she mutt

tie, gave her an amused glance.

ecause looking perfect is the mo

er sarcasm, but instead, he wal

ld," he sa

in my world, people don't have to pretend

"No? Then why

harder than

mouth to argu

he was

use the only way she could regain her

htly, studying her. "Get s

nto his own room, leaving Velia standing there with t

-

w Ro

e up to find Evelyn already

," Evelyn said,

"It's eight i

ll. The gala was just the beginning. If you're going to be the

g her temples. "And

her cup and hand

outings

dia t

etiquett

social climber

scandals a

. "This looks like

led. "Beca

d. "Great. W

-

st Publ

erself at one of the most exc

ic date" to happen in broad daylight, wh

Velia forced a smile, linking her arm wi

ith socialites, celebrities

e. As they sat down, he whispered, "Sit straig

ll her eyes. "You make it sou

t even blin

lia realised right away that

with dishes she coul

y, Lucas ordered for

e to do that,"

u want to keep up the illu

tened, but she r

oks as soon as th

ching them. Jud

ow breath. Ju

ere, a woman appr

s, da

, she saw a gorgeous bru

fident, the kind of woman who

y reacted.

the woman's eyes strayed to Velia

le. "Velia Howell.

e a smile. "Likewise. However, I must admit that I'm t

lia maintained a neutral demeanour

y at that, but Isabel

tries, she finally left,

to Lucas. "

acquai

yebrow. "She look

swer; he just s

er person who's going to be watchi

her gaze.

in her chair, su

t surviving th

to realise-this was

d was far more dangerous t