From Lost Puppy to Lioness

sed. Thre

bs, mostly event staff

k, long hours, low p

ng drinks at a high-pr

d. Men in tuxedos, wo

. The world sh

n she s

Ster

oom, a major donor, p

but still handsome, still rad

s just part of the backgro

ed. She wanted

ground, her tray s

n she vaguely remembered from

en a cruel smile spr

n trailing behind hi

friend said loudly, drawing attention. "A

her che

up, his gaze

n, a flicker of recognitio

d, his voice dripping with contempt. "Quite a fall

he floor to

tepped

ad," Ethan said, his

d. "What? Ace, don'

one." Ethan' s eyes w

r tray. "Thank you,"

walked away, Chad s

ng tables in a quiet cor

alright?"

not trusti

ry about Chad.

t him. Was t

time," he said, his voice s

ew. Or at least, he

nk in his hand. "To Sophia Bellweather. You mi

aid n

ld help you. No strings. Just... make things easier for yo

e was still t

her, quiet her, make h

plan forming in her

thing – weariness, desper

ble?" she

ser. "Very c

. "I' ll think a

small, sati

ought he wa

a what he' d