The grand ballroom buzzed with laughter and conversation as the charity gala reached its peak. Sophia, draped in her shimmering silver gown, floated effortlessly through the crowd, her golden hair catching the light with every step. She smiled graciously whenever anyone approached, accepting compliments with a delicate hand pressed to her heart.
"Oh, Sophia, this event is truly spectacular," a socialite gushed, her jeweled necklace sparkling as she leaned closer. "The decorations, the cause, everything.It's perfect."
Sophia's lips curved into a modest smile, her voice dripping with false humility. "Thank you so much. It's been a labor of love, really. I just wanted to ensure everything was flawless for tonight."
Ariana stood on the far side of the room, watching the exchange with a mixture of anger and disbelief. Every time someone praised Sophia, she felt a fresh stab of betrayal. This was her event, her hard work, yet Sophia basked in the spotlight as though she had orchestrated it all.
Sophia's feigned humility continued as she moved from one group to another, each interaction amplifying her fabricated role in the evening's success.
As the night wore on, a sudden wave of murmurs swept through the room. Heads turned toward the entrance as Mia Carter, Ariana's best friend, entered the ballroom. Dressed in a sleek red gown, her confident stride and radiant smile commanded attention. Mia was well-known in social circles for her sharp wit and unflinching loyalty to her friends.
Ariana's face lit up as she spotted Mia, relief washing over her. She hadn't expected her friend to attend but was grateful for her presence. Mia approached Ariana, her eyes scanning the room with a keen awareness that immediately picked up on the tension.
"Ariana," Mia greeted warmly, pulling her into a hug. "This is incredible. You've outdone yourself."
Ariana smiled weakly. "Thank you, Mia. I wasn't sure if you'd make it."
Mia pulled back, her sharp eyes narrowing. "And let you face this alone? Never." She glanced across the room, her gaze landing on Lucas and Sophia, who were chatting with a group of guests. Her jaw tightened. "I see the circus is in full swing."
Before Ariana could respond, a nearby guest chimed in. "Mia! So lovely to see you. Isn't this event just marvelous? Sophia really outdid herself."
Mia turned to the guest, her smile razor-sharp. "Oh, I think you're mistaken. Ariana is the one who arranged this entire evening. She's poured her heart into it for weeks."
The guest blinked in surprise. "Oh… I thought—Sophia said she—"
"Sophia said?" Mia interrupted, her tone saccharine. "Well, isn't that interesting? Considering Ariana was the one finalizing every detail, from the venue to the guest list."
The guest stammered an apology before scurrying away. Mia turned to Ariana with a pointed look. "It's time to set the record straight."
Mia moved through the crowd like a storm, politely but firmly correcting every misconception about Sophia's involvement. Guests who had initially showered Sophia with praise began to murmur amongst themselves, their opinions shifting as they learned the truth.
By the time Mia reached Lucas and Sophia, a crowd had gathered nearby, subtly observing the confrontation they sensed was coming.
"Lucas," Mia greeted coolly. "Sophia."
"Mia," Lucas said, his tone guarded. "I didn't realize you were attending."
"Oh, I wouldn't miss it for the world," Mia replied, her smile icy. She turned to Sophia, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. "Sophia, I must say, you have a talent for… taking credit. It's almost impressive."
Sophia's smile faltered. "I don't know what you mean."
Mia raised an eyebrow. "Oh, come now. Everyone here seems to think you organized this gala. Care to explain how that happened when Ariana has been working tirelessly on it for months?"
Sophia's cheeks flushed, her usual composure slipping. "I—I only mentioned I helped with a few details."
"Details?" Mia echoed, her tone mocking. "I see. Well, perhaps you should clarify that with the guests who believe this entire evening is your doing."
Lucas frowned, glancing at Sophia. "Sophia, is this true?"
Sophia stammered, but Mia didn't give her a chance to respond. "Ariana deserves recognition for her hard work, Lucas. Not your… companion."
Lucas's jaw tightened as murmurs rippled through the crowd. He turned to Ariana, his expression unreadable. "Is this true?"
Ariana hesitated, her eyes flickering to Mia, who nodded encouragingly. "Yes," she finally said. "I organized this event. Every detail, every decision—it was me."
The weight of her admission hung in the air, silencing the room. For the first time, Lucas seemed to register the depth of Ariana's efforts—and the injustice of Sophia's behavior.
Sophia's silence in the car was deafening. Ariana sat in the back seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, while Lucas drove. The tension was palpable, a thick, suffocating presence.
When they arrived home, Sophia burst into tears, her sobs echoing through the quiet mansion. Lucas immediately turned to her, his voice soft with concern. "Sophia, what's wrong?"
"They all hate me now!" Sophia wailed, burying her face in her hands. "I only wanted to help Ariana, but Mia twisted everything. Now everyone thinks I'm some… liar!"
Lucas's face hardened, his gaze shifting to Ariana. "Are you happy now?" he snapped, his tone icy.
Ariana's eyes widened in shock. "What? I didn't—"
"You let Mia humiliate Sophia in front of everyone," Lucas interrupted, his voice sharp. "You've always been jealous of her, haven't you? That's why you had to make her look bad tonight."
Tears pricked Ariana's eyes as she stared at him, her heart breaking all over again. "Lucas, all I did was tell the truth. I've worked so hard—"
"Enough," Lucas said coldly, turning away from her. "You've done enough damage for one night."
As he led a still-sobbing Sophia upstairs, Ariana stood frozen in the foyer, her tears finally spilling over. The victory she had felt at the gala now felt hollow, crushed under the weight of Lucas's disdain.