The grand ballroom of the fashion gala sparkled with lights and music.
Elegant guests moved across the room in designer gowns and tailored suits, while photographers captured every important arrival.
Hazel stepped inside beside Luca, trying to hide how nervous she felt.
"This place is incredible," she whispered.
Luca glanced at her.
"You'll get used to it."
Hazel laughed softly.
"I'm not sure I want to."
Across the room, Abi walked slightly behind them, taking in every detail.
The wealth.
The power.
The attention Luca naturally commanded when he entered.
People greeted him with respect everywhere he went.
Abi's eyes followed him carefully.
This world…
She wanted to belong here.
---
Later in the evening, Luca led Hazel outside the venue.
The night air was cool and quiet compared to the loud ballroom.
Hazel looked confused.
"Why are we outside?"
Luca didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he walked toward the entrance where a sleek black luxury car sat under the lights.
Hazel stared at it.
"Whose car is that?"
Luca held out a small set of keys.
"It's yours."
Hazel blinked.
"What?"
"You work harder than anyone I know," Luca said calmly. "Consider it a gift."
Hazel looked completely stunned.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
Hazel laughed in disbelief before hugging him tightly.
"Thank you!"
Not far away, Abi watched the scene quietly.
Her smile faded.
An expensive luxury car.
Just like that.
For Hazel.
Something about the moment made a strange feeling rise inside her chest.
Later, when Hazel excitedly told her about the gift, Abi forced a smile.
"That's… amazing," she said.
But her tone sounded slightly off.
Hazel noticed.
For a moment, she studied her sister's expression carefully.
Something was different.
Something she had never noticed before.
But Hazel quickly pushed the thought away.
Tonight was supposed to be a happy night.
---
Back inside the ballroom, the atmosphere suddenly shifted.
A tall, elegant woman walked through the entrance with quiet confidence.
Camilla Moretti.
Several people immediately recognized her.
Across the room, Valeria noticed first.
She sighed softly.
"Of course," she murmured.
Hazel turned slightly when she noticed the woman approaching Luca.
Camilla stopped in front of them.
"Well," she said smoothly.
"This is unexpected."
Luca's expression hardened.
"What are you doing here?"
Camilla ignored the question and looked at Hazel instead.
"So this is the famous new girlfriend."
Hazel suddenly felt very small under her gaze.
Camilla circled slightly around her.
"You look nervous," she said with a mocking smile.
Luca stepped forward.
"That's enough, Camilla."
But Camilla wasn't finished.
She leaned closer to Hazel.
"Be careful," she said quietly. "The Valentino world isn't as perfect as it looks."
Hazel's confidence began to fade.
The room suddenly felt too large, too loud.
Before Camilla could continue, two security guards stepped forward.
"Miss Moretti," one of them said firmly. "We'll have to ask you to leave."
Camilla laughed softly.
"Already?"
But she allowed them to guide her toward the exit.
As she passed Luca, she spoke quietly.
"This isn't over."
The ballroom slowly returned to normal.
But Hazel's mood had already changed.
The happiness she felt earlier had disappeared.
Across the room, Abi watched everything carefully.
Then she walked over and gently touched Luca's arm.
"Are you okay?" she asked sweetly.
Valeria, standing nearby, noticed immediately.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Abi Hart was very good at pretending.
But Valeria had already started seeing through the act.
Thank you so much for reading!
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