The ballroom glittered beneath crystal chandeliers.
Soft classical music drifted through the air while executives, investors, and their guests mingled over dinner.
Laughter echoed from every corner of the hall.
Lily stood quietly near the balcony, enjoying the cool ocean breeze.
She watched the waves crash against the shore, trying to calm the strange feeling that had settled in her heart after Victoria’s arrival.
“Why should it bother me?” she asked herself.
“He’s my boss.”
“Nothing more.”
Victoria Makes Her Move
Across the room, Victoria remained beside Damian, effortlessly charming everyone she met.
She laughed gracefully at the investors’ jokes and spoke confidently about business, making sure she stayed close enough to Damian for everyone to notice.
Several guests whispered.
“They look good together.”
“I heard they used to date.”
“Maybe they’ll get back together.”
Lily overheard the conversation as she reached for a glass of juice.
She lowered her eyes and quietly walked away.
She didn’t notice Damian watching her leave.
An Unexpected Invitation
A few minutes later, the host stepped onto the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, before dessert is served, we’d like everyone to enjoy a dance.”
The band began playing a slow instrumental melody.
Couples walked toward the dance floor.
Victoria smiled brightly and turned to Damian.
“Shall we?”
Before he could answer, one of the investors approached.
“Mr. Wayne.”
“We’d like a word about tomorrow’s contract.”
Damian nodded politely.
“I’ll be right there.”
Victoria forced a smile.
“I’ll wait.”
Damian walked away for a brief discussion with the investors.
When the meeting ended, his eyes instinctively searched the ballroom.
They found Lily standing alone near the large windows, quietly watching the dancers.
She looked peaceful.
Almost as though she wished to disappear into the background.
Without fully thinking it through, Damian walked toward her.
“Lily.”
She turned.
“Yes, sir?”
He held out his hand.
“Dance with me.”
Her eyes widened.
“What?”
“I need a dance partner.”
She looked around the ballroom.
“There are plenty of people here.”
“I asked you.”
Lily hesitated.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“People will talk.”
Damian glanced around the room. New chapters come out on g.com first.
“They already are.”
For a long moment, she looked at his outstretched hand.
Finally…
She placed her hand in his.
“I hope I don’t step on your feet.”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“I’ll take that risk.”
The Dance
They walked onto the dance floor together.
The room seemed to grow quieter.
Several guests recognized Damian Wayne immediately.
Whispers spread through the ballroom.
“Isn’t that his assistant?”
“I thought he came with Victoria.”
“Cameras, look over there!”
Photographers quickly captured the moment.
Lily’s heart raced as Damian gently placed one hand at her back, keeping a respectful distance.
She rested her hand lightly on his shoulder.
The music guided their slow movements across the floor.
“I didn’t know you danced,” Lily said softly.
“I don’t.”
She laughed.
“You seem to be doing fine.”
“My grandmother insisted I learn when I was a teenager.”
“I’m beginning to like your grandmother more and more.”
“So am I.”
They both laughed.
For a few precious minutes, the rest of the ballroom faded away.
There were no business deals.
No rumors.
No responsibilities.
Just two people sharing a quiet dance.
Jealous Eyes
From across the ballroom, Victoria watched every second.
Her smile disappeared.
She tightened her grip on the champagne glass in her hand.
Beside her, Vanessa whispered, “I didn’t expect that.”
Victoria’s jaw clenched.
“Neither did I.”
She watched Lily laugh at something Damian said.
Something inside her snapped.
“No one takes Damian from me.”
A Dangerous Photo
The dance ended with polite applause from nearby guests.
Lily stepped back immediately.
“Thank you.”
Damian nodded.
“Thank you.”
Before either of them could leave the dance floor…
Flash!
Flash! You are reading on g.com, the official source.
Flash!
Several photographers captured pictures of them smiling at each other.
One photographer grinned.
“This will make tomorrow’s business headlines.”
Another added, “The mysterious woman beside Damian Wayne.”
Lily’s smile faded.
She wasn’t comfortable with attention.
Damian noticed her expression.
“Don’t worry.”
“They’re only photographs.”
“I hope you’re right.”
The Morning Headlines
The next morning, Lily woke to the sound of her phone vibrating.
She rubbed her eyes and reached for it.
There were dozens of missed calls.
Messages from colleagues.
News alerts.
Confused, she opened the first article.
Her eyes widened.
“Billionaire CEO Damian Wayne Seen Dancing with Mystery Woman at Investors’ Gala.”
Another headline read:
“Who Is Lily Carter? The Woman Capturing Wayne’s Attention.”
Her stomach tightened.
She quickly opened social media.
The photographs had spread everywhere.
Comments poured in.
“She’s beautiful.”
“Is she his girlfriend?”
“What happened to Victoria?”
“This is going to be interesting.”
Before Lily could process everything, there was a knock on her hotel room door.
She opened it.
Damian stood outside.
“I assume you’ve seen the news.”
She nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
He sighed.
“I’m sorry.”
She looked surprised.
“You don’t have to apologize.”
“I should have considered how this would affect you.”
For the first time, Lily realized he wasn’t only thinking about the company’s reputation.
He was thinking about hers too.
She smiled reassuringly.
“We’ll get through it.”
Their eyes met.
Neither noticed that, from the end of the hallway, Victoria had just witnessed the entire conversation.
Her expression hardened.
She quietly turned away.
“This ends now,” she whispered.