"This is your moment, babe. Go… before the crowd starts lining up to kiss her feet."
Kate's voice was low but edged with urgency. Her fingers brushed Nick's arm as Samantha descended from the stage, award in hand, heels clicking like a metronome of dominance.
Nick didn't wait.
He cut through the murmuring crowd, ignoring flashes of camera lenses and the whispers trailing behind her name.
She looked… untouchable.
"Samantha," Nick called, voice steady despite the slight dryness in his throat.
She turned, slowly. A faint smile curved her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. The award still rested in her hands like a symbol of unshakable power. She looked regal, radiant — composed.
"Mr. Carter," she said, her voice smooth.
Nick smiled as if it were a friendly encounter, but even his charm felt like paper in her presence.
"Let's just say, no one saw that coming… CEO of Elevate Strategic Group. Guess that saying's true — never judge a book by its cover."
Samantha tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable.
"A lot of people read the wrong chapters, Nick. But they'll figure it out eventually."
He chuckled under his breath. "Touché. So tell me—why send me an invitation? Some kind of full-circle moment?"
She smiled faintly, then turned slightly, poised to leave.
"I didn't send you an invitation, Mr. Carter."
He stepped closer. "Nick."
She sighed, the smile fading into a neutral calm.
"Right. Nick. For your information, it was a global guest list. I had my PR and corporate team design the algorithmic invitation structure. Criteria-based. Tied to influence, investments, portfolios... relevance. So, if you got yours, congratulations — you simply made the cut."
She turned again — elegantly, deliberately. But before she could walk off, a soft voice cut between them.
"Ma'am."
Lynn approached from the left, her steps deliberate. She wore a black satin gown that flowed like ink and caught the light with every movement — classic, sleek, powerful in its understatement. Her neckline dipped slightly, balanced by the subtle edge of shoulder padding. Everything about her said executive grace with just enough edge.
"Your guests are waiting in the VIP lounge," she said.
Samantha gave a small nod, passing the award into Lynn's hands without breaking eye contact with Nick.
"If there's more you want to say," she said to Nick, "you can relay it through my assistant. I'll get back to you… when I'm free."
She didn't wait for a response.
She pivoted and walked away, back straight, heels tapping like punctuation marks on marble.
Lynn lingered.
"Would you like to book an appointment this time?" she asked sweetly, her tone polite but soaked in sarcasm.
Nick raised a brow. "Didn't realize you were offering."
"I wasn't. But I'm efficient — even with people who used to be important."
Nick narrowed his eyes. "Tell her I'll be waiting."
"As you wish, Mr. Carter."
She turned, paused after a few steps, then looked over her shoulder. "For the record, I'm very good at my job."
With that, she disappeared behind the glass-paneled doors of the VIP lounge, heels whispering confidence.
Nick stood there, torn between regret and realization. Then Kate appeared at his side, arms folded.
"We messed up," Nick muttered.
"We?" Kate echoed, eyes fixed on him. "No, sweetheart. Say I messed up. I was just the woman who warned you not to get distracted."
He turned to face her, irritation flaring in his jaw. "If you hadn't let jealousy ruin the moment, I could've figured her out back then. I knew she was someone when I first met her at the mall. But you—"
"She's someone now, isn't she?" Kate snapped, her tone sharp.
Before the conversation could dive deeper, Chloe's voice rang behind them.
"Well, looks like that plan flopped," she said, approaching with her champagne glass still half-full. "You had her in front of you and didn't close the deal."
"What deal?" Kate fired back.
"The one you thought you had," Chloe replied with a smirk.
Nick exhaled, frustration mounting. "I'm done playing games with both of you. We need new strategies. I'm going to network — find someone worth talking to."
He stalked off, vanishing into the sea of suits and flashing name tags.
Kate watched him go, then glanced sideways at Chloe.
"I think he likes you," she said with a half-smile.
Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Carlos? Don't be ridiculous."
"You don't have to pretend. He hasn't taken his eyes off you all night. He looks like the kind of guy who reads spreadsheets and body language."
Chloe rolled her eyes. "It was business. Carter Group is hunting for new investors. That's it."
Kate nudged her playfully. "He's tall, smart, European. What's not to like? You've been single since Ryan ghosted the planet. Sweetheart, I swear, sometimes I can't stand you with that mean attitude of yours --- but I do want you to be happy." Kate said, her tone softer now. "This is the perfect moment to let go of Ryan and finally start over."
"That's low," Chloe replied.
Kate raised her hands. "I'm just saying… maybe you stop looking for reasons not to move on."
Chloe stared at her for a second, conflicted, then turned toward Carlos across the room.
"Fine. But if this goes sideways, it's on you."
Kate smirked. "Darling, I've never led you wrong when it comes to men."Chloe arched a brow and crossed her arms. "Is that how you landed my brother?" Kate gave a sharp laugh. "Oh, come on. This isn't the time to your petty little jabs. It's simple -- you either walk over to that fine gentleman now...or you let someone else beat you to do it."
She brushed a loose strand of hair behind Chloe's ear, adjusted her neckline slightly.
"You look perfect. Now go make him sweat."
Chloe narrowed her eyes and walked off,she saw a waiter passing by and place her glass on the trey ,straightening her posture as she moved. Carlos turned as she approached and smiled warmly.
"I almost forgot," he said in a soft German accent. "My business card."
He handed her a sleek black card with metallic silver text.
"Thank you," she replied, offering hers in return.
Carlos smiled, tucking it into his inner jacket pocket like a prized possession.
"Dance with me?" he asked.
"Why not," Chloe said softly, slipping her hand into his.
As they moved to the floor, the music shifted into a soft, jazzy instrumental. Carlos spun her gently, and Chloe smiled, the tension melting off her face for just a moment.
But as she glanced back at Kate from across the room, her smile faded slightly.
Under her breath, she muttered,
"I'm going to kill you when I survive this mess."
Kate, watching from a distance, winked. Mission accomplished.