The Future is Long

Unable to suppress the excitement bubbling within her, Sophie took a step forward and extended her hand towards Ethan Montgomery, greeting him enthusiastically, "Hello, Mr. Montgomery, I've often heard about you. You might not recognize me; I'm Sophie Turner." 

Her hand remained suspended in mid-air, waiting in vain for a response or even a glance in her direction. She stood there, her face gradually overtaking with an awkwardness she couldn't voice.

Ella Jackson swiftly pulled her hand down, her eyes signaling Sophie to refrain from speaking. Sophie's face conveyed an unspoken disappointment at the gesture.

This brief interlude seemed to distract everyone from the moment's tension. Ethan Montgomery's gaze returned to Avery Miller, bringing with it an invisible pressure that made Avery feel as though breathing had become an arduous task.