The gala was in full swing, but the air in the Nexus Ballroom was thick with more than just champagne and polished conversation. It hummed with anticipation—the kind that Sophia Bennett knew all too well. This wasn't just any networking event; this was the night she'd either secure the deal of a lifetime for Synergy Brands Inc. or risk the company's future, and with it, her family's redemption.Sophia stood poised in front of Greyson Global's chief executive, making her final case. She could feel her palms dampen as she laid out the intricate details of the partnership, knowing that even the slightest distraction could unravel months of hard work. Just as she thought she had him convinced, a sudden murmur rippled through the crowd.The press had arrived—cameras flashing like lightning bolts as whispers swirled through the room. At the center of the commotion stood Ethan Cole, grinning like he owned the place. Of course, it had to be him. Sophia's jaw tightened. He had already caused one scene with his "champagne art" on her dress earlier; she wasn't about to let him disrupt her progress now.She turned back to her conversation, trying to salvage the moment. But as the buzz grew louder, Greyson Global's representative glanced distractedly at Ethan and his entourage. The charm, the scandal, the rumors—it all seemed to follow Ethan like a storm cloud."Excuse me for a moment, Miss Bennett," the executive said, clearly more interested in the unfolding spectacle than Sophia's carefully planned pitch.Frustration bubbled up inside her, and before she could stop herself, Sophia stormed toward Ethan. He stood by the bar, still basking in the limelight, his easy charm wrapping him in a cocoon of confidence. Her eyes narrowed as she approached."Are you serious, Ethan?" Sophia snapped, her voice cutting through the din.Ethan turned, raising an amused eyebrow. "Ah, Miss Bennett. You look... upset. Don't tell me this is about the champagne incident.""Don't flatter yourself. You've disrupted this entire evening. Some of us are actually trying to work," she said, her voice sharp with exasperation.He smirked, casually taking a sip of his drink. "Relax, I'm just here to make things interesting. Isn't that why these events exist? A little drama never hurt anyone."Sophia clenched her fists, resisting the urge to throw his drink back in his face. "Drama? You think I want to be part of your soap opera life? I'm trying to close the most important deal of my career, and you're out here acting like it's some kind of show."Ethan leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Sophia, it's not me you should be worried about. These people love a spectacle. I'm just giving them what they want."Before Sophia could fire back, a sultry voice chimed in behind her. "Oh, don't be too hard on him, darling. Ethan just can't help himself."Natalie Ross sauntered up, her dress clinging provocatively to her figure, her dark eyes gleaming with mischief. She had that dangerous air of someone who thrived on scandal—someone who knew exactly how to bend powerful men to her will and leave destruction in her wake. Sophia's stomach turned as Natalie's presence instantly changed the atmosphere."Natalie," Sophia said coolly, her eyes flicking between the two of them. "This just keeps getting better."Natalie ignored the edge in Sophia's voice, her focus entirely on Ethan. "I couldn't help but notice you were making quite the impression tonight, Ethan. Stirring things up as usual, I see."Ethan's expression faltered for a split second before he regained his composure. "Natalie, now's not the time."But Natalie wasn't backing down. "Oh, come on, Ethan. You've never cared much about timing, have you? That's what makes you so... irresistible." Her tone dripped with condescension, each word designed to provoke a reaction from Sophia.Sophia's blood boiled as she watched the exchange. Natalie's reputation was well known—she was a woman who thrived on chaos, having built her fame on a string of high-profile scandals, using her relationships with powerful men to climb the social ladder. Her connection to Ethan had been all over the tabloids, painting him as a careless womanizer with no regard for the consequences of his actions.But this was more than just gossip. Sophia could see how Natalie was trying to play her, to make her question Ethan's intentions—and it was working. She felt her carefully crafted composure slipping."You're both pathetic," Sophia finally said, her voice trembling with anger. "This isn't a game, and I'm not going to be dragged into whatever twisted power play you two are having."She turned to leave, but Ethan grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not forceful. "Sophia, wait. Don't listen to her. This—what she's saying—none of it matters."Sophia yanked her hand away, her eyes blazing. "You don't get it, do you? I'm trying to build something real, something with integrity. And you're out here with your scandals and your distractions, tearing down everything I'm trying to do. I can't—no, I won't—let you drag me down with you."Before Ethan could respond, Natalie let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, poor Sophia. Still trying to play the hero in a world full of villains. You'll learn soon enough, sweetheart. We all do."Sophia turned her back on both of them, her heart pounding in her chest as she stormed out of the ballroom. The deal with Greyson Global now hung by a thread, and she wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to salvage it—or her pride.As the doors closed behind her, Ethan stood there, watching her leave, the weight of Natalie's words hanging heavy in the air. For the first time in a long while, he wasn't sure how to charm his way out of this one.