tared at her reflection in the mirror, feeling like a stranger in her own skin. The jeweled necklace around her neck sparkled under the dim light of h

ardo standing there, impeccable in a tailored black tuxedo. His presence fille

," he said, his voic

yes. "Perfectly out of place," she r

ne. Just remember-confidence is everything. Tonight, yo

eply, nodding. "A

e, one that didn't reach his eyes. "Then

lights streaming through the tinted windows. Amanda's heart raced as she rehearsed polite smiles and prac

marble floors that gleamed underfoot. Amanda tightened her grip on Leonardo's arm as they stepped through the grand entrance. Th

iosity rippling through the crowd. Amanda's stomach twis

lding a glass of champagne. "Leonardo," he said warmly, though his sha

smoothly. "Allow me to in

t the weight of his scrutiny. "A pleasure to

p firm despite her nerve

anding. "Victor, I'm sure you'll excus

hey moved through the crowd, Amanda caught snippets of whispered conver

Amanda asked u

is tone neutral. "A business associ

the advice did littl

political figures, and socialites whose names she struggled to remember. Some greeted her warmly, others

fire. Her smile was as sharp as the diamonds adorning her neck. "Le

e," Leonardo said,

g through them before she smiled again. "Fiancée? My, how

on remained unreada

g on Amanda. "Well, congratulations. Though

d a smile. "

arries a lot of... baggage. But I'm sure Le

so slightly. "Amanda is well aware of what she's st

e saccharine. "Of course. I'm sur

e breath she hadn't realized she was holding

onardo replied curtly. "D

more, but the look in Leona

the surface, Amanda could feel the undercurrent of tension. She was an outsider in

ood around her plate, her appetite nonexistent. Beside her, Leonardo was the p

was served that the even

Matteo, leaned closer to Amanda. "So, Amanda," he

he replied, keepin

smirk. "And yet here you are, engaged to one of the

flushed. "It's

it is. Tell me, do you know what you're getting

gh the tension like a blad

ck surrender. "No offense, Le

that made Matteo look away. Amanda swallowe

ally drained. As they stepped into the limo, t

ll," Leonardo said final

I? Because it felt like they were

y'll test you. That's how this world works. B

past. She had agreed to this arrangement to escape her struggles, but ton

her hand. "This is just the beginning," he said, his voice so

f insincerity. For a moment, she thought she s

she said quietly before

fe came with a price-a price she wasn't sure she could afford.