A Night to Steal the Spotlight

A week later ,

The grand ballroom sparkled with opulence, chandeliers dripping with crystals and golden decor glowing under the soft light. The party was in full swing, the air alive with the hum of conversation and the symphony of a live orchestra. Guests in exquisite attire swirled around the room, but none drew as much attention as Celine.

Dressed in an emerald gown that hugged her figure perfectly, with her hair cascading in glossy waves, she walked in on Lucien's arm. Her arrival turned heads, and whispers of admiration rippled through the crowd.

"She's stunning," someone murmured.

"Perfect for Lucien," another guest said.

Celine basked in the attention, her radiant smile never faltering as she clung to Lucien. She leaned closer to him, whispering, "Looks like we're the talk of the night, Lucien. Doesn't this feel perfect?"

Lucien nodded absentmindedly, his expression distant. He was polite, attentive even, but his focus was elsewhere.

Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead, casting shimmering light across the elegantly dressed crowd. Music flowed smoothly, mingling with the chatter of Lucien's esteemed business partners and their guests. But far from the glamour, Sophie sat in her room, staring wistfully out the window.She was warn to stay in her room.

She could hear the faint melody of the orchestra, the laughter, and the clinking of glasses. Her heart yearned to be part of it.

Suddenly, Margaux burst into her room with a wide grin. "Get up, Sophie. We're crashing the party."

Sophie turned, confused. "But Lucien said I shouldn't—"

Margaux waved her hand dismissively. "Lucien doesn't have to know. Besides, you deserve to have fun, too. And I've got a plan."

She set down a glowing, floor-length dress that shimmered like starlight. "Put this on. No one will recognize you with the mask."

Before Sophie could protest, Margaux grabbed her hands and helped her into the dress. The fabric flowed like liquid silver, hugging her figure perfectly and pooling elegantly at her feet. Margaux then handed Sophie a pair of glass stilettos.

"Wait, these are impossible to walk in," Sophie said nervously.

Margaux winked. "You'll be fine. Now, let's fix your hair."

Margaux deftly tied Sophie's hair into a sleek bun, leaving a few loose tendrils to frame her face. She added a delicate diamond mask that sparkled as brilliantly as the dress.

Sophie looked at herself in the mirror, barely recognizing the elegant woman staring back. "Margaux, this is insane. What if someone recognizes me?"

"They won't," Margaux said confidently, slipping into a scarlet dress and donning her own mask. "I've got your back. Now, let's go."

Meanwhile, in the shadows of the grand staircase, Sophie descended with Margaux at her side. Sophie's dress was a masterpiece—an ethereal silver gown that shimmered like moonlight, flowing gracefully with every step. Her mask, encrusted with delicate crystals, hid her face, but it only added to her allure. Her glass stilettos clicked softly against the floor, announcing her presence like a whisper before a storm.

Margaux, in a bold ruby gown with an intricate black mask, grinned. "I told you this would be fun. Let's show them how it's done."

Sophie hesitated, her heart pounding. "Margaux, this is insane. What's if Lucien recognizes me?"

Margaux smirked. "That's the fun part. Now, go. You look like a queen—own it."

As they entered the ballroom, the shift in atmosphere was palpable. Conversations paused, heads turned, and the crowd seemed to part instinctively. Sophie's radiant presence stole the attention that had been fixed on Celine moments earlier.

"Who is she?" a woman asked, her voice tinged with envy.

"Absolutely breathtaking," a man muttered, unable to take his eyes off Sophie.

Lucien, standing near the center of the room, felt his gaze drawn to the mysterious woman. His breath caught as he watched her glide through the crowd, her silver dress sparkling like a cascade of stars. There was something hauntingly familiar about her, yet he couldn't place it.

His intense stare didn't go unnoticed. Celine, who had been reveling in the compliments moments before, felt a pang of jealousy as she followed his gaze.

"Lucien," she said, her voice sharp, "why are you staring at her like that?"

Lucien blinked, tearing his eyes away reluctantly. "What? I wasn't staring."

"Yes, you were," Celine snapped, her cheerful demeanor vanishing. "You haven't looked at me like that all night. Who is she?"

"I don't know," Lucien said curtly, his brow furrowing. But he couldn't help glancing back, his curiosity burning.

Celine's jaw tightened as she watched Lucien's gaze wander back to the mysterious woman. The crowd around her buzzed with whispers about the silver-clad beauty, and Celine felt the spotlight slipping from her grasp.

Sophie, unaware of the stir she was causing, tried to stay close to Margaux. Her nerves made her hands tremble, but the exhilaration of freedom kept her moving.

Margaux leaned in and whispered, "You've got every eye in the room on you, including a certain someone's."

Sophie followed Margaux's subtle nod and met Lucien's piercing gaze across the room. Her breath hitched, and she quickly looked away, her cheeks burning.

"Let's go," she whispered to Margaux, her courage faltering.

But Margaux grinned mischievously. "Not yet. Let him stew a little longer."

Lucien couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity. His mind raced as he observed the masked woman's poise, the way her dress flowed as if made for her, the curve of her neck. Who was she?

Celine clutched his arm, her nails digging into his skin. "Lucien, stop staring. It's rude."

Lucien exhaled sharply, forcing himself to focus on celine.i am just looking at her because she looks familiar Celine. You're imagining things ."

"No, I'm not," Celine hissed, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Sophie. "Whoever she is, she's ruining the night."

But Sophie had already left a mark, and the spark she ignited in Lucien's mind was impossible to extinguish.