Chapter 27

Serena's POV

I take one last calming breath as I step onto the red-carpeted entrance. Cameras are flashing everywhere, and the crowd is huge. My heart is pounding so loudly I swear everyone around me can hear it. The warm light gleams off my dress, which clings to me in all the right ways.

I square my shoulders and walk inside.

The interior of this private club is dazzling. Chandeliers sparkle overhead, and the music is soft yet elegant. It's the kind of place where everyone's out to impress. The men are in crisp tuxedos; the women in flashy gowns. Servers glide around with silver trays, offering champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

I'm about to head deeper into the crowd when I catch a glimpse of a group of familiar faces off to the side. Sure enough, Nina Sinclair and Evelyn Whitmore are huddled together, tossing me looks like I'm some unwelcome intruder. Right beside them is Ian Whitmore, scanning the room like he owns it. My blood simmers, but I force myself to keep my expression calm. This isn't the first time they've tried to make me feel like I don't belong.

I'm making my way through the crowd when I catch Ian's voice. He's standing with a bunch of flashy, loud guys, and I can't resist slowing down just enough to eavesdrop.

"Ian, I heard you've met Lucas!" one guy says, sounding excited.

"Yeah, I have," Ian answers with a casual shrug."He used to always nod and smile when he saw me."

"Damn, you're lucky," another chimes in. "Last time I tried to see him, his people turned me away at the door."

"Same here," a third dude adds. "I don't even know what the guy looks like in person."

Then someone else pipes up, "None of us can compare to Ian, right? He single-handedly saved Whitmore Group from going under. He's a big shot now. If my family collapsed, I'd have no backup plan."

Everyone laughs, patting Ian on the shoulder like he's some hero. The conversation might sound like a joke, but it's clear they're pumping him full of praise.

One of them leans forward, eyes gleaming. "Dude, once Lucas shows up, you gotta introduce us. My old man won't stop nagging me to get close to him. Says we're all young and I should learn from him."

"Yeah," another agrees. "We're friends, aren't we? You won't leave us hanging, right?"

Ian hesitates a second-I see the uncertainty flicker in his eyes-but then he nods. "Sure," he says, forcing a smile. "If he has time, I'll do what I can."

"Awesome," they all cheer, talking over each other in excitement. "It's settled, man."

I take a step forward, and suddenly, Ian from that circle blurts out. He stalks over, dropping his voice low so only I can hear. "What are you doing here, Serena?" His tone is hostile, laced with suspicion. "Who brought you in? Because I know StarRiver Group didn't get an invitation. And the Sinclair Family sure as hell didn't bring you."

I fold my arms across my chest, refusing to give him an inch. "This is Harrington International Holdings' event," I say coolly. "You're not the boss here, so why do you care who comes and goes?"

His eyes narrow. "If you're crashing the party, that's gonna look bad on you-"

"Then let it look bad," I cut him off. "It has nothing to do with you."

He huffs, trying to sound magnanimous. "I can tell everyone you're my plus-one. Spare you the embarrassment of getting kicked out."

I glare at him. "We're over. Don't touch me."

The moment I turn away, I can practically feel him seething behind me, but I keep on moving. My steps lead me toward a quieter corner. I grab a champagne flute, hoping I can at least enjoy a drink before someone else tries to grill me.

I'm still sipping when I sense eyes on me again-Nina Sinclair and Evelyn Whitmore. They're whispering, occasionally casting smug glances my way. I can only guess they're stirring up rumors, probably bragging about how Ian's got connections to "Lucas Harrington" and can revive the Whitmore Family. Nina's taking obvious pleasure in thinking I'm a nobody here.

Just as I'm about to roll my eyes and walk off, a staff member in a neat uniform steps up, politely but firmly. "Excuse me, Ms. Serena Sinclair? We've received reports that someone without a valid invitation entered the premises. Could you please show us your credentials?"