The Woman She Thought Didn't Belong

Some people assume that powerful men enjoy being constantly surrounded by admiration, but I knew that excessive attention could become exhausting when everyone expected something in return.

Julian glanced toward the terrace railing once, and for a brief moment our eyes met across the crowd.

There was a familiar warmth in his expression, although he didn't interrupt the business conversation to approach me.

I answered his glance with a small smile before returning my attention to the skyline.

Neither of us had any interest in turning a private relationship into entertainment for people who measured human connections according to social advantage.

That evening wasn't supposed to be about us.

I had come because I wanted to enjoy the beautiful setting, support someone important to me, and leave before the endless networking became unbearable.

Unfortunately, someone else had already decided that my peaceful evening was an insult.

I first realized something was wrong when Chloe began looking in my direction more frequently.

At first, her glances were brief, but they gradually became longer and more openly contemptuous.

She seemed especially irritated whenever Julian's attention drifted away from her conversation.

Then she noticed him looking toward the railing again.

Her smile stiffened.

She followed his gaze until her eyes settled directly on me.

For a moment, she simply stared, apparently trying to understand why someone dressed so plainly had attracted his attention.

I looked away because I had no desire to challenge a stranger over something so ridiculous.

That decision apparently offended her even more.

A woman standing beside Chloe whispered something, and Chloe answered loudly enough for several guests to hear.

"Some people really have no idea how these events work."

I didn't turn around.

"Honestly, the invitations must have become much easier to get," she continued.

The woman beside her gave an uncertain laugh.

I wondered whether Chloe was trying to provoke me, but I refused to reward the performance with the reaction she wanted.

My mother had once told me that people who desperately need an audience often become furious when someone refuses to watch their show.

I was beginning to understand exactly what she meant.

A short while later, Julian excused himself from the group and entered the private VIP lounge with two investors.

Chloe watched him disappear through the glass doors, and the disappointment on her face was unmistakable.

She had spent much of the evening trying to keep his attention, and now he had left without inviting her to accompany him.