The moment Olivia laid eyes on Mr. Francis, an uneasy sensation knotted in her stomach. Memories of their tumultuous past rushed back, each one laced with confusion and regret. She wanted the night to be over; the glimmering chandeliers and elegant music felt suffocating, as if they were closing in around her.
As the dance floor filled with couples twirling and laughing, Jenna sauntered over to Ethan with a charming smile. Before Olivia could protest, Jenna pulled him into a dance, leaving her standing awkwardly beside Francis. Her heart sank as she watched them glide effortlessly across the floor, Ethan's laughter ringing in her ears.
Francis, sensing her discomfort, leaned in closer, a smirk playing on his lips. "It seems you're all alone now," he taunted, his grip on her arm tightening slightly.
Ethan caught sight of the tension etched on Olivia's face and immediately began to make his way back to her. However, Jenna held him captive, whispering sweet nothings that pulled him further into her web. "You know, Ethan," she said, her tone dripping with manipulation, "Olivia chose Francis over you. They were once lovers, and she just used him to gain half of his assets to start Carter Couture. She's now playing a dangerous game, trying to ruin you and take Pierce Enterprises for herself, just like she did to Francis."
Ethan's brow furrowed as he listened, his attention momentarily diverted from Olivia. As the conversation continued, the projector screen at the front of the venue flickered to life, illuminating the dance floor with a slideshow of images. Olivia's breath hitched as the first photo appeared—her standing close to Francis, their smiles too intimate for comfort. Each subsequent image revealed more of their past, every frame designed to sow seeds of doubt.
Confusion swept through the crowd, including the press, as murmurs erupted around them. Francis tightened his grip on Olivia's hand, preventing her from escaping. The weight of the images hung in the air, making her feel trapped and exposed. She wanted nothing more than to scream, to explain to Ethan that the photos had been forced and that there was nothing romantic about her relationship with Francis.
"Ethan, please!" she finally cried out, her voice breaking through the noise. But her plea fell on deaf ears as Ethan's expression shifted from confusion to hurt. She could see the doubt creeping into his eyes, and it shattered her heart.
"I can explain everything!" she urged, desperate to make him understand. "Those photos are from a time when I felt trapped. I didn't choose Francis; I was coerced! You have to believe me!"
But as the projector continued to show their past, each image felt like a dagger driving deeper into the rift forming between them. She was terrified of losing him, of being unable to convince him of the truth.
Ethan's gaze flickered between her and Jenna, whose smile only grew wider as she reveled in the chaos unfolding before her. Francis leaned in, whispering something that made Olivia's skin crawl, and she realized she had to break free—if not for herself, then for Ethan.
With renewed determination, she yanked her arm from Francis's grip and pushed through the crowd, her heart racing. She had to get to Ethan before it was too late. The night felt heavy, but she knew she had to fight for the truth, for their love. It was time to face the shadows of her past and reclaim her future.