The celebration carried on long into the evening.
Guests moved from group to group, introducing themselves, studying unfamiliar faces, exchanging pleasantries, and quietly sealing deals over glasses of champagne.
Laughter blended with soft music as the Hale mansion buzzed with influence and ambition.
“Levi!”
Sophia’s voice cut through the noise as she approached, arm linked with Ethan.
“Grandma, Grandpa—you made it,” Levi said, a genuine smile tugging at his lips.
“Of course we did, my love,” Sophia replied warmly.
“We arrived late because we had to wait for your aunt, but we wouldn’t miss the beginning of your reign for the world.”
“We brought you plenty of gifts,” Ethan added cheerfully.
“Sara already took them to your room.
Be sure to check them out and tell us what you think.”
“You didn’t have to,” Levi said softly.
“Just being here is more than enough.”
“Sophia, Ethan!
You made it!” Kaitlin joined them, beaming.
She hugged Sophia and Ethan, greeting them with a light French kiss on each cheek.
“Although we missed the signing, we followed it live on the news,” Ethan said.
“And after that speech Levi gave here, I’m sure you all won’t have to worry again.
I’m actually starting to feel jealous—maybe I should retire soon so he can succeed me too!”
Everyone laughed—everyone except Levi.
As the only grandson on both sides of the family, responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders.
Sara had only two young daughters, which meant expectations would always circle back to him.
“Excuse me for a moment,” Levi said quietly.
“Excuse me for a moment,” Levi said.
He walked toward a waiter, took a fresh drink from a tray, and tried to find a quiet corner.
“Levi Hale.”
Levi turned, his expression instantly composed.
“Senator,” he greeted, shaking the man’s hand.
“I must say, I’m disappointed we didn’t meet earlier,” the senator said smoothly.
“You’re quite the force.”
“You flatter me,” Levi replied.
“I hope the event is to your liking.”
“Well, this is the Hale mansion,” the senator laughed.
“Everything here always seems better.”
Levi smirked politely.
“I am curious, though,” the senator leaned closer, lowering his voice.
“Will you also be inheriting the power from below?”
“I’m not sure I follow,” Levi said calmly.
“The other world,” the senator pressed.
“The one your grandfather is god of.”
Levi immediately understood—but had no interest in indulging the man.
“My grandfather is god of his golf club,” Levi replied dryly.
The senator frowned, irritation flashing briefly before he stepped closer again.
“I’m talking about the FA—”
“Senator.”
A soft female voice interrupted them.
They turned to see a woman approaching.
“Natasha!” the senator exclaimed, his face lighting up.
“You look ravishing as ever.”
“Mr.
Hale.”
“Oh,” the senator said eagerly, “Levi, this is Natasha—Miss California, 3 years in a row.
Sharp mind, goddess-like beauty, and a powerful fan base.
If you want to polish your image, you need someone like her.
People listen to her.”
Levi studied her briefly.
She wore a shimmering silver gown that clung perfectly to her figure, a daring slit running up her thigh.
Expensive jewelry adorned her neck and wrists, her hair styled into a sleek bun that left her back exposed.
Her heels clicked softly against the floor, and her perfume lingered in the air.
She extended her hand.
Levi shook it briefly, his expression unreadable.
His lack of interest did not go unnoticed.
Natasha flinched; she wasn’t used to being ignored.
Her smile faltered slightly, while the senator’s gaze lingered far too long.
“I should excuse you—” Levi began.
“Not at all,” Natasha cut in smoothly.
“As an influencer, I needed to see for myself what makes you so special—other than being the heir.”
“What do you mean?” Levi asked, confused.
She turned to the senator.
“May I have a moment alone with him?
I’ll return him shortly.”
“Of course,” the senator said with a wink.
“Take your time.”
When he left, Natasha faced Levi again.
“You already have a fan base,” she said.
“And it’s growing.
Some people even came to me asking if I’d met you.
They don’t want to support an heir who looks perfect on the outside but hides demons within.
That’s why I had to be here tonight.”
Levi blinked.
“I’m sorry, Miss—”
“Natasha,” she supplied quickly.
“Miss Natasha,” Levi said carefully, “I think there’s a misunderstanding.
I’m not an influencer.”
“Whether you like it or not, Mr.
Hale, you are someone people watch,” she insisted.
“Every businessman needs fans to grow.
Can I call you Levi?”
“No.”
She paused, surprised.
“Miss Natasha,” Levi continued calmly, “I don’t care about the fan base you’re describing.
I’m a businessman, not a celebrity.
I don’t need people to admire me—I need them to need me.
Their money is what grows my empire.
You also need their money to survive but you use speeches and smiles.
That’s a slower route.
He turned and walked away.
Natasha exhaled sharply, anger flashing across her face.
And she wasn’t the only one.
Throughout the night, women approached Levi—some sent by family, others by ambition.
Each time, he dismissed them politely but coldly, leaving them stunned and frustrated.
Eventually, Sara came out, noticed his mood.
“Excuse me,” she said brightly, looping her arm through his.
“May I steal my nephew for a long moment?”
She pulled him away from a woman enthusiastically pitching her daughter.
“Thank you for that!” Levi smiled once they were in a quiet spot.
Sara beamed.
“It’s nothing.
But I wonder why you are ignoring all these beautiful ladies from wealthy families.
They are at your feet!”
“Are you serious?
Don’t you find it annoying?” he asked.
“Yeah, you make a point,” she said, sipping her drink.
“I wanted to ask,” Levi said, looking at her.
“Don’t you have any interest in succeeding your father and taking over his company?”
Sara smiled and looked away.
“Why do you ask?”
“Grandpa Ethan just talked about retiring early so I can succeed him too.
But I mean…
you could do it, right?”
“I can,” Sara admitted.
“But it’s not my line of interest.
Besides, my dad is more interested in a male inheriting his company than a female.
He feels that if a woman takes over, the company will eventually end up in another man’s name when she marries.”
Levi shook his head.
“That’s just patriarchal.”
Sara shrugged.
“You can always merge the companies later, Levi.
Turn it into a parent company or a branch.
You’re smart; you can figure it out, my dear nephew.”
She took another sip of her drink and looked at the crowd.
“Anyway, back to the ladies.
You know, it’s best if you find yourself a girlfriend or a fake date.
Someone to keep both your grandmothers off your case, or else this will never end.”
“I don’t even know where to start,” Levi sighed.
“Come on, there has to be someone you like,” she said.
“I know your ex-girlfriend hurt you, and you might think every girl is like her, but you have to try.
Open up again.
Not everyone is bad.
If you don’t find someone, Kaitlin and my mother will eventually drag you into bed with someone just to get their great-grandchild..”
“What?” Levi said, horrified.
Sara burst out laughing.
“Decide quickly,” she teased.
And with that, she left him standing there—trapped between duty, expectation, and a future he wasn’t ready to face.