So, that was it. When Alex had reached out earlier to help with my gown, my heart had skipped a beat for a fleeting moment.


    As we stepped into the grand hall, the lively chatter of the g quieted momentarily at Alex''s entrance.


    "Mr. Hastings, it''s been a while! Your presence brings such honor to my humble hotel," a short, rotund man greeted him with a smile.


    "Not at all! How could I refuse an invitation from you, Mr. Pierce?" Alex replied smoothly, taking a ss of champagne from a passing waiter.


    I couldn''t help but stifle augh as I watched their polite exchange.


    "Mr. Hastings, you''re looking even more handsome tonight," Mr. Pierce added with a chuckle. "Your looks alone are bound to make you the center of attention."


    Alexughed, his tone light. "Only because I''m basking in your glow, Mr. Pierce. It''s not my doing."


    "And this lovelydy is absolutely stunning tonight." Mr. Pierce''s sleazy eyesnded on me.


    I stiffened under his gaze, my brows knitting together.


    "That''s funny!" Alex interjected, his tone noticeably cooler. "If you''ll excuse us, we should greet Mr. Williams and the others."


    He guided me away, leading me toward a quieter corner of the room. Once we were alone, Alex''s expression darkened.


    "Why were you smiling like an idiot at him?" he asked sharply.


    I was confused by what he was saying, but then it hit me.


    "I wasn''t smiling at him. I just thought it was funny how you guys kept


    His sharp gaze cut to me like a de, and I immediately zipped my lips.


    "You are not to leave my sight tonight," Alex said firmly.


    I nodded. "Alright."


    "Sit here. I''ll go greet some of the business partners," he instructed, motioning to a nearby couch.


    My borate gown was so restrictive and heavy, it felt like moving a priceless antique. Sitting still sounded like heaven. I gratefully nodded.


    However, no sooner had I sat down than a young woman in a yellow chiffon gown approached me.


    "Hi! Are you Mr. Hastings'' date?" she asked with an overly enthusiastic smile.


    I nodded with an awkward smile.


    "Lovely to meet you. I''m Katie." She reached out her hand.


    Her excitement was painfully exaggerated, and her acting was so over-the-top that I wanted to sink into the floor and disappear. But for Alex and my precious intern Sry, I forced myself to y along.


    After she left, another woman in avender satin gown arrived. Her name was Evelyn. She acted and talked exactly like Katie.


    When Evelyn finally left, a third woman appeared, dressed in a white gown encrusted with diamonds.


    One after another, these socialites


    approached me like they came on a


    conveyor belt. They introduced


    themselves as the daughters or wives of powerful businessmen, each hoping I''d help them get Alex''s attention.


    They''d be lucky if I could remember their names.


    I scanned the crowd, desperately searching for Alex. Surely, he''d notice my plight


    and rescue me. But he was nowhere to be found.


    After some thought, I decided that


    staying put wasn''t helping. I nced at the signs around the hotel and, dragging my cumbersome skirt, made my way toward the garden.


    At this hour, when the socializing inside was at its peak, the garden was nearly


    empty. Finally, I found some peace.


    Standing by the fountain, I let out a long, weary sigh.