The moment the grand doors closed behind them, the atmosphere changed.
Warmth replaced the cold night air.
Golden chandeliers bathed the entire hall in soft light, reflecting off polished marble floors and crystal centerpieces. A live orchestra played gentle holiday melodies from the far end of the room, blending elegance with quiet celebration.
But the real shift—
Was the people.
Conversations faltered.
Heads turned.
Eyes followed.
Riley Styles had entered the room.
And with him—
Stephanie.
A ripple spread through the hall like a silent wave.
Executives straightened instinctively.
Board members whispered behind raised glasses.
Investors leaned toward one another with subtle curiosity.
And the women—
The reactions were immediate.
Some admired.
Some calculated.
Some… envied.
At a table near the center of the hall, a woman in a sleek red dress tightened her grip on her champagne flute.
Mara.
A senior staff member at Styles Industries.
Beautiful. Ambitious. Sharp.
