Amara Celeste Hale was led away from the crowd by Elias to a quieter corner on the upper left side. It was somewhat secluded, yet it felt as though all eyes in the banquet hall were on her. Was it because of the five tall, handsome brothers standing in front of her, each one resembling a perfect Prince Charming?
Among them, Alden stood with his usual cold demeanor, while she couldn't help but notice Sulivan Blackwell glaring at her with a dark, brooding look. The venom in his eyes made it clear that he hadn't forgotten her previous interruption of his night. She could almost feel the dangerous aura he emitted, a silent warning lurking in his gaze.
Amara, however, didn't flinch. She met Sulivan's gaze with a cool, composed smile, clearly unfazed by the tension. Her attention shifted to the others as Elias introduced her to the remaining brothers. "This is Damian Blackwell, your sixth brother," he gestured to the tall, athletic man beside him. "And this is Liam Blackwell, your seventh brother. As for your second and fifth brothers, they couldn't attend tonight due to work commitments. You'll have plenty of time to get to know them in the future."
Amara raised an eyebrow and gave a relaxed wave. "Hi, brothers. I'm Amara Celeste Hale… I'm 19 this year…" Her voice was confident, with no trace of awkwardness. She wasn't here to make a grand impression; she simply presented herself as she was.
The recognition ceremony felt impersonal, but Amara didn't mind. She didn't expect to win anyone over tonight. The brothers, except Elias, gave only brief nods in response. She didn't care. She wasn't here for their approval.
"Well, it's not like I wanted to get close to them anyway," she thought, maintaining her composure. But as her gaze briefly landed on Sulivan, she reminded herself that getting close to him was essential for her mission. She'd have to play it smart with him.
Suddenly, Sulivan grabbed her wrist, his grip firm. "I'm in a hurry. Let me go first," he muttered, not even bothering to explain. He then pulled her onto the dance floor, without waiting for her response.
Amara raised an eyebrow but didn't resist. She met his forceful grip with a calm, unwavering demeanor. "Why are we dancing all of a sudden?" she asked, her voice steady and curious, rather than confused.
Sulivan's lips twisted into a cold, almost mocking smile. "If it weren't for daddy's orders, do you think we'd be doing this? Don't flatter yourself."
Amara chuckled inwardly at his words. She knew the reason behind this little display. Their father, Henry, had likely arranged this, but Amara wasn't going to let it faze her. "With each and every one of you?" she asked, her tone playful as she glanced around at the four brothers still standing by, waiting for their turns.
The socialite daughters nearby watched her, eager for their own chance to dance. Amara could sense their gaze but didn't let it affect her. She had other things to focus on tonight.
Sulivan's hand gripped her waist with surprising force, pulling her closer. With the beat of the drums in the background, he guided her through the steps. As he leaned in close, his breath tickled her ear.
"The Blackwell men have already given you enough face tonight, haven't they?" he said, his voice low and threatening. "But don't think you're some big celebrity. Your last name is Hale. Ours is Blackwell. For today, I'll let you off. But next time, don't expect the same."
Amara felt the cold, venomous weight of his words, but she didn't show it. Instead, she flashed him a knowing smile, unfazed. His presence didn't rattle her. If anything, his attempt to intimidate her only made her more determined to play this game on her terms.
Sulivan pushed her away, abruptly sending her spinning into Liam's arms. Liam, younger but no less graceful, caught her effortlessly. He moved with her through the dance with an almost casual air, his focus on the steps, not on her.
Amara adjusted her position and easily fell into sync with Liam. She'd always been an accomplished dancer, and with a partner like Liam, the dance became fluid and effortless. The awkwardness of the earlier moments melted away as she moved with ease.
From a distance, Elias watched them with a soft smile. He was clearly entertained by how easily Amara adapted to the dance floor. Meanwhile, Sulivan, who had been watching them intently, turned and walked into the crowd, immediately surrounded by a swarm of eager women.
Liam finished the dance quickly and, without any fanfare, gave Amara a brief look. Perhaps he hadn't expected her to be so composed, so capable. He nodded, as if impressed, before slipping away into the crowd.
The night wasn't over, and there were more dances to be had. Alden and Damian approached, ready to take their turns. Amara couldn't help but smile to herself, knowing that the evening was far from predictable.