I stepped out of the car, letting the night air hit my face. The gown clung in all the right places—off-white silk with delicate beading, corseted at the waist. My black hair was styled to fall in soft waves over my shoulders, and my green eyes scanned the entrance like a soldier surveying a battlefield.
I wasn't here to be noticed, but the room would notice anyway.
The Loundel Estate glittered like a jewelry box—crystal chandeliers, marble floors, waiters in crisp white gloves carrying champagne that cost more than most people's rent. Every surface reflected wealth, and every face wore the practiced smile of people who measured worth in stock prices.
I hate it here.
Harvey was already holding court near the main staircase, surrounded by a cluster of suited executives, shaking hands, laughing at jokes I couldn't hear. I forced my own smile and approached, each step scrupulous, my heels clicking a rhythm against the tiles.
"Oh, you made it," Harvey said, his grin sharp as glass. "Let's give her a round of applause, everyone. The prodigal daughter returns."
I paused, pretending to adjust my gown, letting the polite laughter from the surrounding businesspeople wash over me. True, his words stung but they weren't enough to chatter me.
"You're doing a magnificent job, Harvey," I said smoothly, stopping a foot away. "Please don't mistake my presence as coming after your place. That's too much responsibility for me."
He chuckled. "I won't force myself to believe you, Venny. Care to explain why you lied about your job?"
"I lied?" I echoed, tilting my head. "I found myself a fulfilling job. That's a lie?"
Harvey's grin faltered. "Your dreams won't pay your bills. You should apologize to Father for making him think you were capable of… this. Pretending to be something you're not."
"Apologize?" I snapped, stepping closer, my voice cold enough to slice through the polite hum around us. "Apologize for living my life?"
The smirk returned, sharper this time. "You'll thank me one day when you realize what wasting your potential really looks like."
I couldn't answer. Instead, I turned on my heel, letting the crowd part like water around me, their whispers and side-eyes trailing behind.
I found refuge on one of the side terraces, away from the glittering crowd. The city stretched below, lights twinkling like fallen stars. Out here, I could breathe.
"Venny."
My father's voice cut through the quiet.
I turned to find him standing in the doorway, perfectly pressed suit, expression incomprehensible. He stepped onto the terrace, hands clasped behind his back.
"I'm glad you came," he said, though his tone suggested otherwise.
"You invited me," I replied carefully.
"Your mother insisted." He moved to the railing, staring out at the city. "Harvey has done well. The board is pleased with his direction."
I said nothing.
"You could have had this," he continued. "A position, the respect that comes with it, even security. Instead, you chose… what exactly? Auditions? Rejection?"
My jaw tightened. "I chose myself."
He turned to look at me then, really look at me, and for a second I thought I saw something soften in his expression. But it passed quickly.
"I hope it's worth it," he said quietly, then walked back inside.
I stood there alone, gripping the railing, watching the party continue without me through the glass doors. Inside, Harvey was laughing, my mother was networking, and my father was shaking hands with men who would never remember my name.
I was about to leave the terrace when movement caught my eye.
Through the crowd, near the main entrance, I saw him.
Andre Alhale.
He wore a black suit that looked like it had been tailored by shadows, moving through the gala with the ease of someone who belonged everywhere. Cameras flashed as reporters called his name. He smiled that practiced smile, the one that gave nothing away.
What is he doing here?
My heart kicked against my ribs. I should've walked away, disappeared into the crowd, avoided him entirely.
Instead, I found myself moving back inside, pulled by something I couldn't name.
The crowd thickened near the entrance. Paparazzi pressed against the velvet ropes, cameras raised, shouting questions. I tried to navigate around them, but someone jostled me from behind.
I stumbled forward—directly into Andre.
His hand caught my elbow, steadying me. "Careful," he said, his voice low.
"Excuse me," I managed, but the words barely registered.
Because every camera had turned toward us.
Flashes exploded like lightning. Reporters shouted over each other.
"Andre! Who's your date?"
"Is that Venny Loundel?"
"Are you two together?"
Andre's hand was still on my arm. His blue eyes met mine for half a second. He was definitely surprised or calculating, something else I couldn't read.
Then he smiled. That public smile. "Some nights are full of surprises," he said to the cameras, his tone light and meaningless.
He released my arm and moved past me, his security team creating a barrier. The crowd surged forward, cameras still flashing, questions still flying.
I stood frozen, heart hammering, as the chaos swirled around me.
What just happened?
Inside, the gala reached its crescendo. A small stage had been set up near the grand staircase, and my father stood at the microphone, calling for attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice boomed across the hall, "tonight marks an important moment for Loundel Beauty."
The crowd quieted. I found myself near the back, partially hidden behind a marble column.
"As many of you know, leadership requires vision, dedication, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing market. After careful consideration, the board and I have made our decision about the future of this company."
My stomach twisted. I already knew what was coming.
"It is my honor to announce that Harvey Loundel will be assuming the position of Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately."
Applause erupted. Harvey stepped onto the stage, shaking my father's hand, waving to the crowd like a politician who'd just won an election.
I felt the eyes on me—curious glances, pitying looks, barely concealed satisfaction from people who'd always doubted I belonged.
My father continued, praising Harvey's business acumen, his commitment to the family legacy, his bright future.
Not once did he mention me.
Not once did he even glance in my direction.
The applause grew louder. Harvey gave a short speech about honor and responsibility and carrying forward our father's vision. Every word felt like a door closing.
I turned and walked toward the exit, my vision blurring slightly at the edges. I needed air. I needed to leave.
But as I pushed through the crowd, my phone buzzed in my clutch.
I pulled it out, expecting Eida.
Instead, a notification lit up the screen:
You're trending.
My blood went cold.
I opened social media with shaking hands.
The first thing I saw was a photo of me and Andre, his hand on my arm, both of us caught in the flash of a hundred cameras.
The caption: Venny Loundel and Andre Alhale: Romance Confirmed?
Below it, thousands of comments. Speculation. Theories. Excitement.
My heart stopped.
No. No, no, no.
I scrolled frantically. More photos. Different angles. Close-ups of his hand on my arm, of the way we'd looked at each other.
#VennyAndAndre was already trending.
The world had decided our story before we'd even spoken.
I looked up, scanning the crowd desperately. Somewhere in this glittering chaos was Andre, probably unaware of what had just exploded online.
Or maybe he knew exactly what he'd done.
I didn't know which possibility terrified me more.
My phone buzzed again. Eida's name appeared.
I answered, my voice barely a whisper. "Eida—"
"GET HOME. NOW."
The line went dead.
I shoved my phone back into my clutch and headed for the exit, my mind racing faster than my feet.
Behind me, Harvey's voice echoed through the speakers, basking in his moment of triumph.
And somewhere in the crowd, cameras were still flashing.
I hadn't realized it then, but that single brief moment would flip my life completely.