Chapter 271

The seat beside me felt painfully empty without Ethan there. He had stepped out to take a phone call, leaving me stranded in this suffocating private room.

Every pair of eyes in the lavish space was fixed on me.

Julian Montgomery lounged back with an amused smirk.

Oliver Grayson remained expressionless, his gaze unreadable.

Sebastian Holloway kept glancing at Julian, clearly hoping for some insider information. Having spent years stationed at the southwest border, Sebastian wasn’t fully updated on the latest happenings in Harborview’s elite circles.

He knew, of course, that Ethan was engaged to Isabella Thornton.

But this woman sitting here—who was she?

It wasn’t just the men staring.

Their female companions were just as brazen in their scrutiny.

Where there were women, gossip thrived.

With Ethan absent, the atmosphere loosened, and two of the women leaned in, whispering behind their hands.

"I heard she’s the woman Ethan kidnapped."

"Rumor has it she ruined his engagement years ago."

"You know how ruthless Ethan is. He doesn’t tolerate betrayal lightly."

"Didn’t you hear her admit it herself? She was a hostess. This must be his way of punishing her—breaking her down into something pitiful. They say the most satisfying revenge is turning a proud woman into a desperate one."

"And this one? She tried clawing her way into high society six years ago. Pathetic."

Their murmurs slithered through the air, venomous and sharp.

A woman in a blush-pink dress suddenly perked up, eyeing the long-haired beauty beside her. "Wait, you look familiar. Aren’t you Ava Sinclair? The international award-winning actress?"

The woman—Ava—tilted her chin slightly, her expression cool. "Yes, that’s me."

Tonight, Ava was here as a favor to a wealthy fan—a socialite who had begged her to accompany her husband to this exclusive gathering. The fan had gushed, "Ava, this is your chance to mingle with the most powerful men in Harborview. If you play your cards right, any one of them could fund your next film. And, well… keep you comfortable for life."

She had also added with a laugh, "Not that you’d even glance at my husband when men like Ethan Blackwood and Julian Montgomery are in the room."

The comment had stroked Ava’s ego perfectly.

She had the fame, the accolades—but true power? That still eluded her. Tonight was her opportunity.

So when the other women spoke to her, Ava indulged them with practiced grace.

But her attention was locked onto one person: Sophia Montgomery.

It was obvious—Ethan was the center of tonight’s gathering. Harborview was his empire, and he ruled it with an iron grip.

Sophia, however, was the mystery.

Under the weight of so many stares, Sophia abruptly stood and excused herself to the restroom.

She couldn’t take it anymore. Her palms were damp, her nerves frayed. She needed a moment alone.

But the second she stepped into the bathroom, a sharp voice cut through the silence behind her.

"You. Hostess girl. Come here and fix my shoe."