The room was alive with hushed conversations and unspoken power struggles. Deals were being made with nothing more than a raised glass or an exchange of glances. Yet, despite the intoxicating mix of wealth, ambition, and manipulation, Ethan Lu found himself drawn to only one thing—the woman standing across the room.
Elaine.
She stood with a quiet confidence, observing rather than mingling. There was no desperation in her stance, none of the eager networking he had come to expect from others in this room. Instead, she exuded the calm precision of someone who already knew the game and was simply waiting for the right moment to make her move.
Ethan took a sip of his drink and smirked. Interesting.
Without hesitation, he strode towards her. As he approached, Elaine glanced at him, her expression unreadable. When he finally reached her side, he handed her a glass of champagne.
"I assume you've already calculated tonight's probabilities?" he asked, his voice smooth and teasing.
Elaine accepted the glass without breaking eye contact. "That depends. Are we talking about financial markets, business alliances, or… you?"
Ethan chuckled. "I'd be flattered if I weren't so intrigued."
Elaine tilted her head slightly, studying him. "Tell me, Mr. Lu, do you always approach women with a strategy in mind?"
Ethan swirled the liquid in his glass, his gaze never leaving hers. "Only when the opponent is worth playing against."
Elaine's lips curled into a slow smile. "And what makes you think I'm playing?"
Ethan leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a murmur. "Because you're still here."
A flicker of amusement crossed Elaine's eyes. "Or perhaps I just enjoy a good conversation."
Ethan smirked, tapping his glass against hers lightly. "Then let's see how good you really are at this game."
They stood like that, caught in a delicate balance of tension and curiosity. The world around them faded into the background, the only thing that mattered was the silent battle unfolding between them.
For the first time in years, Ethan found himself genuinely intrigued. He was used to winning, used to predicting people's moves before they even made them. But Elaine was different—she wasn't just reacting to his game. She was playing one of her own.
And he had no intention of losing.