ter

lic

earances v

r cameras snapping all around them. Sophie automatically tensed up, p

ut his hand securely around her wa

ge. The bright lights, the clinking of glasses, the sound of laughter-all of it was too much. She h

ing up at Adrian for confirmation

crowd, not on her. "It is," he stated in a calm,

welcomed them, Sophie continued to nod and grin broadly. Her thoughts were racing, attempting to cope w

oint, she had

one was observing them as they moved around the eve

softly, "Just follow my lead." His fin

complemented her on her clothing, she quickly and courteously thanked him. However, her mind k

a forceful but gentle tone. "

troducing her to people and Sophie trying her best to keep up, the tension in her shoulder

edge broke through the cacophony of the crowd. "We

n was attractive, with sharp features and dark hair, and she was wearing a sophisticated gown that exude

her smile icy and endearing. "I

Adrian's past was brought up. She knew there were aspects of his life that s

ed hard. Despite the growing tension, she

e didn't reach her eyes, it did widen. With a bitter edge to h

idn't appear interested in continuing the conversation. She left a lasti

Sophie exhaled slowly. It felt more comfor

have to inquire. As the woman stepped away, he could see the stra

l bothering her, Sophie nodded. Ind

acquaintance of mine. You shouldn't be concern

's expression warned her that was not the right

er away from the crowd, saying, "

e had about Victoria. It seemed as though Victoria was claiming her terr

ian had been very clear that he didn't want her to know about his history

a glass of champagne in his palm at the bar. She was

her, he watched her with a

ou?" He asked in a calm b

event and was still processing it. "Do I need to worry?" The tension she

main away from her," he warned in a hard, icy tone. "She is t

rance she was hoping for from Adrian's warning. Her curiosity in the woman and t

itive, and Sophie could sense he

er." Consider your purpose for being here. We work as a team. D

but it fell short of her eyes

behind it. If she could trust anyone at all, she had no idea who to put her trust in. Although Adrian appeared to be in control, she

wd. A man with his back to Sophie was talking animatedly with Victori

e sto

anding next to Victori

r

whom she no

he as her heart missed a beat. Why was he in t

ting to blend in with the throng. She was unable to comprehen

from her world, on the opposite side of the nation, when she last heard from

ought him here? How was he related to Victor

te her best efforts, she was unable to shake the sensation that her world was slowly fallin