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Chapter 124 – Echoes of Gossip, Spectacles in the Sky
I whipped my head around to stare at Damien. “Wait, your company arranged this?”
His lips curved into that subtle smile I was growing to love. “A subsidiary. One of many.”
The elevator continued its smooth climb as the drone show outside sparkled across the night sky. Once again, I was reminded of the vastness of Damien’s empire. Just when I thought I understood the scope of his influence, he revealed another layer.
“You’re full of surprises, Mr. Sterling,” I said, brushing my hand against his.
“I try to keep you interested,” he replied, catching my fingers and entwining them with
his.
The elevator finally reached the top floor, opening to reveal the exclusive revolving restaurant, transformed for the night. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the space while floor–to–ceiling windows showcased the breathtaking cityscape. A string quartet played in one corner, and waitstaff in crisp uniforms glided between elegantly dressed guests.
Chloe spotted us immediately and rushed over, radiant in a champagne–colored gown.
“Finally!” she exclaimed, hugging me. “I was worried you’d miss everything.”
“Traffic,” Damien explained simply.
Chloe’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Well, you’re just in time. The night’s main event
is still to come.”
“Main event?” I questioned.
“Ignore my sister,” Damien said, shooting Chloe a warning look. “She enjoys being mysterious.”
Chloe winked at me. “All will be revealed. In the meantime, let me introduce you to some people who are dying to meet you.”
As Chloe led me through the crowd, I couldn’t help noticing how conversations paused when we approached. Curious glances followed us, some admiring, others speculative.
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I straightened my spine, determined not to show any discomfort.
Damien’s hand remained at my lower back, a steady presence as we navigated the social landscape. He introduced me to several people – business partners, old friends, Influential figures whose names I recognized from magazines and news reports.
“And this is Roland Chen,” Damien said as we approached a distinguished gentleman. “Editor–in–chief of Style Vanguard.”
I tried not to show my surprise. Style Vanguard was one of the top fashion magazines in the country.
“Ms. Ashworth,” Roland said, taking my hand. “I’ve heard remarkable things about your designs. In fact, I’d love to feature your work in our spring issue.”
“I–thank you,” I managed, genuinely surprised. “I’d be honored.”
“Excellent! Have your assistant contact mine to set up an interview.” He handed me his card before being pulled away by another guest.
Once he was out of earshot, I turned to Damien. “Did you arrange that?”
“I merely mentioned your name,” he replied. “Roland makes his own decisions. Your talent speaks for itself.”
I tucked the card into my clutch, feeling a surge of professional pride. “Thank you.”
After another hour of mingling, I excused myself to visit the restroom. Inside, I found three women touching up their makeup. They fell silent as I entered, but resumed their conversation as I stepped into a stall.
“That’s her – Damien Sterling’s latest project,” one whispered, not bothering to lower her voice enough.
“Can you believe it? From divorced nobody to hanging off the arm of the second master of the Sterling family,” another replied with a snicker.
“I heard she trapped her last husband with pregnancy scares. Wonder what she’s using on Sterling.”
“Her divorce was so messy too. Didn’t her husband leave her for her own sister?”
“Stepsister,” the third woman corrected. “But still, damaged goods if you ask me.
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Sterling will tire of her soon enough.”
My hands trembled as I fixed my makeup, their words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. I thought I’d moved past caring what people thought, but hearing such venom directed at me still stung.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the stall and approached the sink beside them. The women fell silent, exchanging nervous glances.
“You know,” I said calmly, meeting their eyes in the mirror, “if you’re going to gossip about someone, you might want to check if they’re in the room first.”
Their faces paled, but the tallest woman – wearing a red dress and clutching what appeared to be a designer handbag – quickly recovered.
“We were just discussing what everyone else is saying,” she replied with a dismissive shrug. “It’s not personal.”
I smiled tightly as I washed my hands. “Interesting definition of ‘not personal.‘ By the way, that Hermès bag you’re carrying? The stitching on the handle is uneven. It’s counterfeit.”
Her cheeks flamed. “How dare you! This cost-”
“Not what a real one would,” I cut in. “I design luxury goods for a living. I know the
difference.”
I dried my hands and turned to face them fully. “As for being ‘damaged goods, I survived a relationship with a man who took my blood for years and then discarded me when convenient. I built a successful business from nothing. I published the truth about my past with evidence because I have nothing to hide. What’s your claim to fame besides spreading rumors in bathrooms?”
Without waiting for a response, I walked out, pulse racing but head held high. I spotted Damien across the room in conversation and made my way toward him, trying to shake off the encounter.
I had barely reached him when the woman in the red dress and her date approached
- us.
“Mr. Sterling,” the man addressed Damien with forced politeness. “I’m Young Master Luo. There seems to be a situation. Your… companion has insulted my date.”
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Damien turned, his expression controlled but eyes sharp. “Is that so?”
“She accused Melissa of carrying a fake bag,” Young Master Luo continued. “Then made disparaging remarks about her character.”
All eyes nearby turned to us. I felt the familiar weight of public scrutiny bearing down.
“Actually,” I said, reaching into my clutch, “I have a recording.” I played the audio I’d secretly captured in the bathroom, their malicious comments ringing clear through the suddenly silent space.
Young Master Luo’s face darkened as he listened. When the recording ended, he turned to his date with cold fury.
“You embarrass me,” he hissed, then abruptly slapped her across the face.
The woman gasped, stumbling back as shocked murmurs rippled through the gathering crowd.
“Apologize to Ms. Ashworth,” he demanded.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, tears streaking her makeup.
I stared, stunned by the sudden violence. “That wasn’t nece-”
“It was,” Young Master Luo interrupted. “Mr. Sterling, please accept my apologies for this disgraceful behavior. We’ll be leaving.”
As they departed, Damien placed a gentle hand on my arm. “Are you alright?”
“I didn’t mean for that to happen,” I whispered, feeling guilty despite knowing I wasn’t
wrong.
“You defended yourself appropriately,” he assured me. “His reaction was his choice, not your responsibility.”
Chloe appeared at my other side. “That was badass,” she whispered. “But also, perfec timing! Everyone’s heading to the windows. The main show is about to begin!”
The crowd migrated toward the panoramic windows as the lights dimmed. Outside, the night sky suddenly exploded with thousands of drones, far more than had been visible during our arrival. They formed massive, intricate patterns that shifted and flowed like liquid light.
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“It’s incredible,” I breathed, momentarily forgetting the unpleasant confrontation.
Damien stood behind me, his chest warm against my back. “Three thousand drones,” he murmured near my car. “A new world record.”
The drones danced across the sky, creating fantastical creatures, cascading waterfalls of light, and intricate geometric patterns that seemed to defy physics. The entire restaurant fell silent in collective awe.
“You planned all this?” I asked, leaning back slightly into his embrace.
“A small gesture to mark the occasion,” he replied.
As the drone show reached its spectacular finale, bathing the city in brilliant light before fading into darkness, Damien’s arms tightened around my waist.
“Breathtaking,” I whispered as the last lights twinkled out.
“Indeed,” he murmured, though his eyes weren’t on the sky but fixed on me. “But that was just the preliminary entertainment.”
He turned me to face him, his expression intense yet tender. “The main event,” he said softly, “is only just beginning.”
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