Sophia could still feel the weight of Natalie's words hanging in the air long after she and Ethan had left the dance floor. The gala had quickly turned from a dazzling evening to a tense, awkward affair. Even the glances from the crowd, once admiring, had turned into something sharper—curious and suspicious.As they made their way to a quiet corner, away from prying eyes, Sophia tried to steady her breathing. Her heart raced, and it wasn't just from the dance. Ethan's silence beside her felt heavier than the moment they shared just a few minutes ago."What was that about?" she finally asked, her voice low but edged with frustration.Ethan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. "Natalie's just... trying to stir the pot. Don't let her get to you."Sophia arched a brow. "Seems like she got to you just fine."He shot her a look, but before he could respond, a familiar voice interrupted the charged moment."Ah, Ethan! Just the man I've been looking for," came the deep, commanding tone of Richard Bennett.Sophia's heart sank. Her father. This wasn't the time for him to get involved.Ethan turned around stiffly, his expression quickly shifting into something more guarded. "Mr. Bennett," he greeted formally, his voice neutral but tense.Sophia's father approached with his usual commanding presence, his sharp eyes taking in the sight of them standing together. "I heard there's been quite the stir tonight. Something about you two being the talk of the evening?" Richard said, with a pointed glance toward Ethan. His words dripped with an underlying accusation."Dad, it's nothing," Sophia jumped in, trying to defuse the situation before it escalated.But Richard was already focused on Ethan. "Isn't it always 'nothing' with the Coles?" he said, a bite of disdain in his voice. "I don't need to remind you of the history between our families, do I, Ethan?"Ethan's jaw tightened. "No, sir. I'm well aware."The mention of their fathers' complicated past was a landmine that had been waiting to explode. Sophia had grown up hearing stories about how her father had been cheated in a major business deal years ago—by none other than Ethan's father, Harold Cole. The fallout had led to a bitter rivalry between the two families, one that had only festered over time.Richard folded his arms, his tone colder now. "I trust you're not trying to play the same games your father did. You might be the new face of Cole Enterprises, but that doesn't erase what's already been done."Ethan held his ground, though Sophia could see the tension rising in his shoulders. "I'm not my father. Whatever happened between them is in the past.""Is it, though?" Richard raised an eyebrow. "It's hard to believe that, considering the company you keep."Sophia's stomach twisted at her father's pointed words. This was exactly what she feared—her father dragging up the past and creating more tension. She shot Ethan a glance, silently pleading for him not to take the bait.Ethan clenched his fists but maintained his composure. "Mr. Bennett, I've worked hard to distance myself from my father's business methods. We're here to build something new, something better."Richard narrowed his eyes, his skepticism evident. "We'll see about that. But understand this, Ethan—if you're thinking of making any moves that will harm my family or my company, you'll regret it."Sophia felt her pulse quicken. Her father's words were more than just a warning—they were a threat.Ethan met Richard's gaze head-on. "I'm not here to play games. I want the same thing you do—success without the baggage. But if you can't separate me from my father, then we're going to have a problem."The tension between them was palpable, and Sophia was caught in the middle. She had known their fathers' feud was bad, but seeing it spill out in front of her made her realize just how deep the resentment went.Richard glanced at his daughter, softening only slightly. "Sophia, I expect better judgment from you. Be careful who you align yourself with."Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving an uncomfortable silence in his wake.Sophia exhaled, shaking her head in frustration. "I'm sorry. He can be... intense."Ethan gave a bitter laugh. "He's right, though. The past isn't something I can easily shake off.""You're not your father, Ethan," she insisted. "I know that."But even as she said the words, doubt gnawed at the back of her mind. Because no matter how much Ethan tried to distance himself from his family's legacy, the shadow of his father's actions would always loom over them both.And now, with the lines between their personal and professional lives blurring, it wasn't just their relationship at stake—it was everything they had worked for.