The night was far from over, but for Sophia, it felt like everything was slipping out of control. She stood at the edge of the ballroom, her mind racing, trying to figure out how to salvage the evening. Greyson Global was still on the fence, and now she had to deal with Ethan and Natalie's games. But the universe wasn't done messing with her just yet.Just as she began to collect herself, an eager group of reporters surged into the room, their cameras flashing like wildfires. The buzz of gossip began to circulate, and it didn't take long for the headlines to write themselves. After all, Ethan Cole—the notorious playboy—had been seen talking heatedly with none other than Sophia Bennett, the ever-professional businesswoman."Excuse me, Miss Bennett, is this the big news we've all been waiting for?" A reporter in a red dress called out, microphone in hand.Sophia frowned, completely thrown off. "What news? I'm here for business."But the reporters weren't interested in the truth. They smelled a story. In a blink, they had circled around her and Ethan, snapping pictures, shouting questions. "Is it true you two are dating?" "How long has this been going on?" "Was this gala a cover for your relationship?"Sophia's eyes widened in horror, her mouth opening to deny the claims, but before she could respond, Ethan stepped in, his face showing that same easy confidence."Dating? Now that's interesting," Ethan said, flashing his signature grin, adding fuel to the fire. He draped an arm around Sophia's shoulders casually, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.Her breath caught in her throat. "Ethan, what are you—"The press went wild. Camera flashes exploded around them as Ethan leaned in, his voice low enough for only Sophia to hear. "Trust me. The more we deny it, the more they'll push. Let's just ride this wave."She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Ride this wave? Ethan, I'm not—"But it was too late. The scene had already been set. From the outside, they looked like a power couple—a poised, business-savvy woman and the roguish charmer by her side. And the media was eating it up.Then came the real kicker.Across the room, Natalie Ross had spotted them, her lips curling into a bitter smile. It wasn't long before she stalked over, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Sophia could practically feel the venom radiating off her."Oh, this is rich," Natalie sneered, coming up behind them. "The two of you? Please, spare me."The reporters caught on quickly, their cameras swiveling to capture every second of the drama. The tension between Natalie and Sophia was thick enough to cut through, and Natalie's jealousy was evident in the way her eyes lingered too long on Ethan's arm around Sophia.Sophia tensed, fully aware of the reporters now drinking in every word, every movement. Natalie's jealousy, her biting sarcasm—this was turning into a circus."What's the matter, Natalie?" Ethan asked, his tone light but with a clear edge. "Jealous?"Natalie's eyes flashed dangerously. "Of you? Hardly. But I do feel sorry for her." She glanced at Sophia, her lips twisting into a smirk. "You really think you're the first to be caught up in Ethan's... charm?"Sophia felt the sting of the insult, but before she could respond, Ethan spoke again, his voice unexpectedly hard. "Enough, Natalie."For a moment, Natalie's mask slipped, revealing the rage simmering underneath. She didn't say anything more, but the look she gave Sophia could have turned stone to dust. Then, with a dramatic flip of her hair, Natalie stalked off, her departure almost as striking as her entrance.As soon as she was gone, Sophia shoved Ethan's arm off her shoulders, glaring up at him. "What was that about?" she hissed.He shrugged, still grinning. "Damage control. The last thing you need is a scandal tonight, right? And believe me, nothing distracts from business like a juicy romance."She wanted to strangle him. "You think this is funny? You just made everything worse!"Before Ethan could respond, the crowd of reporters surged forward again, more insistent than ever. "Is it serious?" "Are you two together?"Sophia glanced at Ethan, panic rising. They needed to get out of here before things spiraled further. "Let's go," she muttered through clenched teeth.Ethan took her hand, leading her through the crowd, still playing his part as the perfect gentleman. The cameras followed them all the way out the door, and Sophia couldn't help but notice the approving looks they were getting from the onlookers.The moment they were outside, she yanked her hand away from him, whirling around to face him. "Are you out of your mind? I'm here to secure a deal, not become tabloid fodder!"Ethan raised an eyebrow. "And yet, they're more interested in us than any business deal going on tonight. Sometimes the best strategy is to let them think they know what's happening."Sophia stared at him in disbelief, her frustration bubbling over. "This isn't a game, Ethan. I can't have my reputation tied to yours, not after everything that's happened."He sighed, his playful demeanor fading. "Look, I get it. You're not exactly thrilled to be associated with me, but it's not like we can change what people see. They've already made up their minds. You might as well control the narrative.""Control the narrative?" she repeated, shaking her head. "Ethan, I can't control anything if you keep pulling stunts like this."He opened his mouth to respond, but a voice interrupted them from the shadows."I think you two just made the front page."Sophia turned to see Jeremy, one of the reporters, stepping forward with a wide grin. He held up his phone, where a freshly minted article was already circulating. The headline read: "Power Couple of the Night: Ethan Cole and Sophia Bennett Steal the Show."Sophia groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Unbelievable."