Soft golden light filled the Huang mansion's living room as I descended the staircase, carefully lifting the fabric of my dress so I wouldn't step on it. The quiet murmur of voices below told me Mr. and Mrs. Huang were already waiting.
When I reached the final step, Mrs. Huang turned toward me and gasped softly.
"Oh my goodness, Sophie," she said, pressing a hand to her chest. "You look absolutely stunning."
Warmth crept up my neck. "Thank you, Auntie."
Mr. Huang chuckled from the couch. "I think someone else might be even more impressed."
I followed his gaze.
Harley stood near the entrance adjusting the cuff of his suit. For once, he wasn't looking at his phone or checking the time.
He was looking at me.
Mr. Huang leaned toward him and nudged his shoulder. "Well?"
Harley cleared his throat and straightened his posture. "We should leave before we're late."
Mrs. Huang laughed softly. "That wasn't a compliment."
Harley reached for his car keys. "It was implied."
The ballroom shimmered beneath crystal chandeliers when we arrived, golden light reflecting across polished marble floors. The soft melody of a live orchestra floated through the air as guests in elegant gowns and tailored suits mingled beneath towering floral arrangements.
Harley walked beside me with calm confidence, acknowledging familiar faces with brief nods as we made our way inside.
"Stay close," he murmured quietly.
"I wasn't planning to wander," I replied.
The faintest hint of amusement crossed his face.
A small media crew waited near the stage, their cameras already positioned in front of a backdrop displaying the Huang Group and Seojin General Hospital logos.
The reporter greeted us with a professional smile. "Mr. Huang, Dr. Huo, thank you for taking a moment to speak with us tonight."
Harley stepped slightly aside, allowing the focus to shift toward me.
"It's our pleasure," I said.
"Dr. Huo," the reporter began, "what does this partnership mean for the hospital?"
I straightened slightly, steadying my voice as the cameras focused.
"This initiative will allow us to expand several outreach programs for patients who otherwise wouldn't have consistent access to medical care. With the support of Huang Group, we hope to improve preventative treatment and long-term healthcare for many families."
The reporter nodded before turning toward Harley.
"And Mr. Huang, what motivated your company to support this project?"
"Healthcare is one of the most important investments a society can make," he replied calmly. "Supporting institutions that improve community wellbeing aligns with the values of Huang Group."
When the interview concluded, the small crowd that had gathered nearby slowly drifted away.
Harley glanced at me.
"You did well."
"You say that like you expected otherwise."
His lips curved faintly. "I didn't."
A tall businessman approached moments later, extending his hand.
"Mr. Huang," he greeted warmly. "It's good to see you."
Harley shook his hand easily.
The man turned toward me with a polite smile. "Dr. Huo, that was an impressive interview. You explained the program better than most executives I've worked with."
"Thank you," I replied.
Harley's posture straightened slightly beside me, his hand resting lightly against the back of my chair.
"She tends to do that," he said calmly.
The businessman chuckled. "You two make quite the pair. Power and compassion. A rare combination."
I felt warmth rise faintly beneath my skin but kept my smile steady.
"We're simply representing our respective organizations," I said.
Harley didn't correct the man.
He didn't agree either.
Instead, he said calmly, "Dr. Huo has been instrumental in strengthening the hospital's outreach. The credit belongs to her."
The businessmen nodded approvingly before moving on.
When they were out of earshot, I glanced at him.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For not correcting them."
Harley studied me briefly. "Why would I correct them?"
I adjusted the bracelet around my wrist. "Because it isn't true."
His jaw tightened slightly before smoothing again.
"Then maybe it should be."
Before I could respond, a photographer approached asking for a picture. Harley placed his hand lightly at the small of my back as we turned toward the camera.
"Mr. Huang."
The voice was smooth and slightly breathy.
I turned to see Nurse Beatrice approaching in a fitted midnight-blue gown that shimmered beneath the chandeliers.
"I've been looking everywhere for you," she said. "The committee wanted to confirm the seating arrangement."
Harley's expression shifted instantly back to composed professionalism.
"Of course."
Beatrice glanced at me briefly before smiling. "Dr. Huo, you look beautiful tonight."
"Thank you."
Harley repositioned himself slightly closer to me.
Subtle.
Deliberate.
Beatrice noticed.
"Mr. Huang, may I borrow you for a moment?" she asked.
Harley glanced at me briefly before answering.
"Not right now."
Her smile stiffened for a fraction of a second before she excused herself and walked away.
I lifted my glass and took a small sip of wine.
"You're going to make enemies tonight if you keep dismissing people like that," I said lightly.
Harley glanced at me from the corner of his eye. "I doubt that."
"She's been talking about you nonstop at work."
He drained the rest of his wine and set the glass down carefully, the soft clink against marble lingering in the silence.
"That must have been uncomfortable for you."
My grip tightened around the stem of my glass, but I held his gaze.
I looked down at my half-empty glass, slowly swirling the wine. "Not really."
I looked down at my half-empty glass, slowly swirling the wine. "Not really."
A faint breath of amusement left him.
"You've always been a terrible liar."
I glanced up at him, feigning offense. "Excuse me? I have improved significantly over the years."
His lips twitched slightly. "Have you?"
"Absolutely," I said, lifting my chin. "I am very convincing."
Harley didn't answer immediately.
His eyes held mine a second longer than necessary, the faint amusement fading into something quieter. The room seemed to settle around us, the clink of glass and distant hum of conversation dissolving into the background.
For a brief moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world.
The playful edge between us softened. His gaze dropped to my lips before returning to my eyes, and the shift was subtle but unmistakable.
My fingers tightened slightly around the glass before I looked away first, pretending to be interested in the lights beyond the window.
The spell broke instantly.
I took a small sip of wine, steadying myself, as if nothing had shifted between us at all.
"You should stop overanalyzing my reactions," I said lightly. "It's exhausting."
His gaze lingered on me for another second before he leaned back in his chair.
"I don't have to overanalyze," he replied calmly. "You're easy to read."
I scoffed softly, though my pulse hadn't quite returned to normal.
"Then maybe you're the one who hasn't changed."
Before either of us could say anything else, a group of businessmen approached, their polished shoes echoing faintly against the marble floor.
"Mr. Huang," one of them greeted warmly, extending his hand. "It's an honor."
Harley straightened almost instantly. The softness in his expression vanished, replaced by composed professionalism.
"Good evening," he replied smoothly, shaking hands with practiced ease. "Thank you for coming."
The men turned their attention to me.
"And this must be Dr. Huo," another said, offering a respectful nod. "We've heard wonderful things about the hospital's recent initiatives."
I smiled politely. "Thank you. We're grateful for the support tonight."
As the conversation shifted toward funding projections and media presence, I became acutely aware of the subtle change in Harley's posture. He stood slightly closer to me now, not touching — just near enough that our shoulders almost aligned.
Not accidental.
Deliberate.
One of the older businessmen chuckled softly as he adjusted his cufflinks. "You two make quite the pair."
Another nodded in agreement. "Power and compassion. A rare combination."
I felt the heat rise subtly beneath my skin but kept my smile steady. "We're simply representing our respective organizations."
Harley didn't correct them.
He didn't agree either.
His hand shifted slightly at his side, close enough that the warmth of him brushed faintly against my arm.
"Dr. Huo has been instrumental in strengthening the hospital's outreach," he said calmly. "The credit belongs to her."
His voice was smooth, professional — but there was something underneath it. Something personal.
The businessmen seemed satisfied with that answer, offering approving nods before drifting toward another cluster of guests.
When they were finally out of earshot, the silence between us returned.
Not fragile this time.
Charged.
When the businessmen moved away, I exhaled quietly and glanced at him.
"Thank you," I said.
He looked down at me slightly, brows lifting just enough to show he hadn't expected it. "For what?"
"For not turning it into a joke. Or… correcting them."
Harley's expression shifted, the faintest crease forming between his brows. "Why would I correct them?"
The question lingered between us longer than it should have.
I looked away first, adjusting the bracelet around my wrist. "Because it isn't true."
His jaw tightened briefly before smoothing out again. He stepped a little closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear.
"Then maybe it should be."
My breath caught, but I kept my posture straight.
Before I could respond, a photographer approached, asking for a picture.
Harley placed his hand lightly at the small of my back as we turned toward the camera.
The orchestra began a slower melody as couples drifted toward the dance floor.
Harley turned toward me.
"Do you want to dance?"
"You dance?" I asked, surprised.
"Occasionally."
He extended his hand.
After a moment, I placed mine in it.
The music wrapped around us as he guided me onto the floor, his hand settling lightly at my waist while my other rested against his shoulder.
For a moment neither of us spoke.
"You're quiet," he murmured.
"I'm thinking."
"That's dangerous."
I scoffed softly.
He leaned slightly closer, his voice low enough that only I could hear.
"I used to practice with you."
"What are you talking about?"
"You wanted to learn how to dance before prom," he said. "But you kept stepping on my feet."
"I did not."
"You did. Repeatedly."
I laughed quietly. "I can't believe you remember that."
His voice softened. "I remember everything about you."
The words lingered quietly between us. My chest tightened slightly. So I changed the subject.
"Your investors seem very interested tonight," I said lightly. "You might want to make another round before someone steals them away."
Harley studied me for a moment before exhaling softly.
"Always redirecting."
"It's a useful skill."
The song ended as the orchestra's final note faded into the ballroom.
Harley released my hand but didn't step away immediately.
"Ready to leave?" he asked.
I nodded.