Chapter 7
I stepped into the grand ballroom, the air thick with wealth, power, and whispered speculation. Every eye in the room turned to me, drawn in by the effortless confidence in my stride, the black silk of my gown hugging every curve, the diamonds at my ears catching the chandelier’s glow
11:31 AM
Chapter 72
-PEARLS POV-
I stepped into the grand ballroom, the air thick with wealth, power, and whispered speculation. Every eye in the room turned to me, drawn in by the effortless confidence in my stride, the black silk of my gown hugging every curve, the diamonds at my ears catching the chandelier’s glow
I could feel the weight of his stare.
Lothario
He was frozen near the bar, gripping his drink like it was the only thing keeping him grounded. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes… they told a different story, Confusion, Shock. Disbelief.
He wasn’t expecting me.
I smiled to myself. Good
I turned away from him, pretending he didn’t exist, and that’s when I heard it.”
The shrill, mocking laughter of a woman who thought she had won ⠀
“Oh my God,” Alessia sneered, sauntering toward me with her usual entourage of brainless followers. “Why are you here? Are you lost, darling?”
I didn’t even blink.”
“Or” she drawled, tilting her head. “Did you come to crash another party? Maybe throw more ridiculous accusations?” She laughed, and the women beside her giggled in perfect synchronization
I let out a soft breath. She was still so predictable
“You must be really obsessed with Lothario,” one of her friends snickered “First, you humiliate yourself at his engagement, and now, you’re following him to exclusive events?”
Alessia smirked, her voice dripping with mock pity. “Darling, this is a business gala. CEOs, investors, moguls–real players. Not… whatever you are. She gave me a slow, insulting once–over. “Let me guess, you snuck in? Looking for a new rich man to leech off now that Lothario’s done with you?”
I simply smiled.
“Oh, Alessia,” I murmured. “You’ve always been so eager to open your mouth before thinking”
Her smirk faltered for half a second, but before she could retort, another voice cut through the conversation.
“Cressida Lancaster.“%
A hush fell over our small circle.
Alessia’s confident facade wavered, and I turned–already knowing who it was
Taurus Sullivan.3
He was one of the most powerful businessmen in the country, respected, feared, and impossible to ignore. He walked toward me with deliberate steps, his dark eyes filled with intrigue as he extended his hand.”
“It’s an honor to finally meet the woman everyone’s been whispering about.”
I took his hand, my grip firm, my smile effortlessly poised. Likewise, Mr. Sullivan.”
Behind me, I heard the sharp inhale of breath S
“You… you’re Cressida?” Alessia’s voice was unsteady now.
I turned just in time to see her face lose its color, her hands tightening into fists.
Taurus glanced at her briefly, as if just now remembering she existed. “Ah. Alessia. His tone was dismissive as he turned back to me. “I must say, I didn’t expect the mastermind behind this entire event to be so breathtaking in person.“”
Lothario’s expression darkened. His grip on his glass tightened.?
Alessia looked between me and Taurus, realization dawning in her wide, horrified eyes. “No. No way–“%
Before she could finish, a voice echoed through the ballroom.S
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please!”
The host of the evening stood center stage, a microphone in hand. The entire room quieted.
Tonight, we gather to celebrate innovation, power, and leadership. And none of this would have been possible without the generosity of one remarkable individual–“%
I almost laughed at how pale Lothario’s face became. I
“Please welcome to the stage, our distinguished host, the woman behind this grand event–Miss Cressida Lancaster.”
Silence.
Complete, deafening silence
I turned to Lothario then, just to see the exact moment it hit him.!!
His face drained of color!
His jaw tensed.
His hand clenched around his glass so tightly I half–expected it to shatter
“Pearl?” he whispered, so low it was almost inaudible X
I didn’t say a word. I simply smiled.
Then I stepped forward, walking past him like he was nothing but a forgotten memory.
The crowd parted for me as I ascended the stage.
The applause rang loud, but all I could focus on was Lothario–still standing there, frozen in shock, Alessia beside him looking like she had seen a ghost.
I reached the podium, taking my time to adjust the microphone, letting the suspense build. Then, with a calm, powerful voice, I spoke
“Good evening, everyone.” My lips curved slightly I am Cressida Lancaster“:
I let the name linger in the air, savoring the weight of it.
“I thank you all for attending tonight,” I continued, scanning the room, eyes lingering just long enough on Lothario and Alessia to make them squirm. “It’s a privilege to stand before you, not as an observer in this world but as a player”
A quiet murmur spread through the room. The message was clear
I wasn’t here to watch. I was here to dominate:
I turned my gaze back to Lothario, watching the storm of emotions flicker across his face–shock, anger, disbelief…. something else he refused to acknowledge
Then I smiled again.!!
“Let the games begin.”
The night went on, a whirlwind of champagne toasts, business proposals, and the constant buzz of admiration Everywhere I turned, someone wanted to shake my hand, introduce themselves, or pitch an investment opportunity. I had expected it, of course. Power always attracted power.”
But what I hadn’t expected was how persistent Taurus Sullivan was.
The man barely left my side, his sharp eyes watching everyone who approached me like a bodyguard who doubled as a charming conversationalist. He was magnetic in his own right–commanding, confident, and as ruthless as they came in the corporate world. And unlike some men in this room, he didn’t cower at the thought of a woman standing beside him in power,
I allowed him to stay close. Not because I needed his presence–oh no, I was more than capable of holding my own in a room full of titans. But because I relished the way Lothario’s expression darkened with every passing second.
He was watching.
Standing by the bar, a glass of wine in his grip, his jaw clenched so tight I thought he’d break his teeth. His usual composed mask had slipped, his fingers gripping the stem of his glass like he was imagining it was Sullivan’s neck instead.
,。
I smiled. Took Taurus’s offered arm. Let him lead me across the room with a confidence that only added to the storm brewing in Lothario’s gaze.
Where was Alessia? Nowhere to be found.”
Ah, so she had run.K
Amusing.
“Cressida, may I say something?” Taurus leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. “You are the most dangerous woman I have ever met.”
I tilted my head, feigning curiosity. “Why, because I own a company?*
He chuckled. “Because you own the room.”
I sipped my champagne, smirking over the rim of my glass. “Flattery, Mr. Sullivan?“I
“Observation,” he corrected smoothly, his sharp gaze flicking to Lothario in the distance. “And it looks like someone really doesn’t like it.“”
I didn’t even have to turn my head to know he was talking about Lothario. I could feel the heat of his glare from across the room. And it wasn’t just confusion anymore–it was something darker. Something uglier.
