The sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains of their private suite aboard the Lancaster family's sleek, modern yacht. A warm breeze wafted in from the open deck doors, carrying with it the faint scent of the sea. Evan stirred first, the soft creak of the yacht’s gentle sway stirring him from a light sleep. For a moment, he y there, basking in the memory of st night.

  Sienna shifted beside him, her arm zily draped over his chest. Her hair was tousled from sleep, but her serene expression held a confidence that came naturally to her. Evan turned to her, a small smile tugging at his lips.

  "Good morning," she murmured, her voice still ced with sleep.

  "Morning," Evan replied softly, brushing a strand of her hair back.

  They y in silence for a while, the warmth of the bnkets and the sound of the waves making it hard to leave their little cocoon.

  "Last night was..." Evan started, his voice trailing off as his cheeks flushed.

  "Amazing," Sienna finished for him, her lips curving into a teasing smile.

  He ughed, a little shy, but his heart swelled. "Yeah, amazing."

  But as the minutes ticked by, reality began to seep back in. Their trip was coming to an end, and today marked their st day here. Evan sighed softly, his hand tracing idle patterns on the bnket.

  "You don't want to leave, do you?" Sienna asked, her tone gentle but perceptive.

  "Not really," he admitted, gncing out at the endless blue horizon. "It’s been... peaceful. I’m not sure I’m ready to face the crowd at the charity event."

  Sienna propped herself up on one elbow, her expression softening as she looked at him. "Hey, it’s going to be fine. You don’t have to do much, I’ll handle everything. You just have to be there, alright?"

  Evan hesitated, his thoughts drifting back to the old Evan’s st charity event. It had been a disaster—questions had flustered him, people had dismissed him, and he’d felt like a shadow in the room. Even if he wasn’t that same person anymore, the lingering anxiety tugged at him.

  "I’m not worried about being there with you," he said after a pause. "It’s... well, it’s me. I just don’t want to embarrass you."

  Sienna reached out, cupping his face in her hand. "You could never embarrass me, Evan. You’re smart, charming, and way too hard on yourself. Besides," she added with a pyful grin, "you’re the most handsome man in the room. Everyone’s just going to be too busy looking at you."

  Evan chuckled softly, though an awkward flicker crossed his mind. Handsome? Maybe. But the way she makes it sound, like I'm just some... vase for people to admire? He shook the thought away quickly, not wanting to spoil the moment.

  "Pretty sure most people are here to admire you, not me," he said lightly, fshing her a faint smile.

  He hoped his tone masked the tiny twinge of discomfort. It's fine, he told himself. She means well.

  ***

  The charity ga was a dazzling affair that spoke volumes about the Lancaster family’s influence. The venue, a grand ballroom in one of the most prestigious hotels on the coast, shimmered with opulence. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in a warm, golden glow, their light reflecting off polished marble floors. Tall, intricately carved pilrs framed the space, and every surface seemed to gleam—whether it was the sleek bck grand piano in the corner or the silver ptters carried by the waitstaff in crisp uniforms.

  Evan stepped into the ballroom at Sienna’s side, his eyes sweeping over the crowd. The attendees were just as polished as the venue itself—men in tailored suits and women in gowns that looked as though they’d been plucked straight off a Paris runway. The hum of conversation filled the air, blending with the soft strains of a live quartet pying in the background.

  His eyes were drawn to a series of photographs dispyed on rge easels near the entrance. Each image showcased smiling children in bright cssrooms, clean water wells in remote vilges, and families with sor-powered lights illuminating their modest homes. Beneath each image was a description of the charity’s mission: sustainable development for underprivileged communities.

  He felt Sienna’s arm loop through his as she leaned in slightly. “See? Not so bad, right?” she murmured, her voice low and soothing.

  Evan gave her a small smile. “It’s beautiful. I’ll give you that.”

  As they made their way through the room, Sienna seamlessly slipped into her element. She greeted guests with the effortless poise of someone used to commanding attention.

  Evan followed her lead, offering polite nods and warm handshakes, though he couldn’t shake the faint feeling of being out of pce. It wasn’t until they stopped by one of the elegantly arranged buffet tables that the nerves started to fade, repced by curiosity.

  The table was a masterpiece in itself, den with artfully arranged dishes that looked more like sculptures than food. As Evan reached for a small pte, Sienna nudged him pyfully. “Don’t overthink it. Pick something that won’t crumble all over your tie,” she teased.

  He chuckled, grateful for her lightheartedness. “I’ll try my best.”

  Their banter was interrupted by the arrival of a poised, elegant woman who seemed to glide rather than walk. Her sleek bck gown hugged her frame, and a neckce of emeralds glittered at her throat. She carried herself with the kind of confidence that came with success, her smile warm yet calcuted.

  “Miss Lancaster,” she greeted, her voice honeyed and smooth. “Always a pleasure to see you.”

  With a subtle gesture, she motioned toward a nearby banner that read, “Together for Tomorrow: Building Sustainable Futures.” The text was framed by an intricate design of leaves and sor panels, highlighting the evening’s focus on sustainable initiatives.

  “The Lancaster family’s support for this cause has been nothing short of transformative,” the woman said warmly, her gaze lingering briefly on Sienna. “It’s incredible how much has been accomplished under your and your mother’s exceptional leadership.”

  Sienna returned the smile, her posture rexing slightly. “Mrs. Dupont. It’s been too long. I hope you’re enjoying the evening.”

  “Very much so,” Mrs. Dupont replied, though her eyes drifted briefly to Evan. There was a flicker of curiosity in her gaze as she extended a perfectly manicured hand. “And you are?”

  Evan shook her hand, offering a polite smile. “Evan. I’m Sienna’s stepbrother.”

  “Ah, I see.” Her smile widened, and she tilted her head slightly, as if appraising him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Evan.”

  The three of them fell into conversation, though it was clear that Mrs. Dupont was particurly interested in Sienna. She steered the discussion toward the Lancaster family’s energy initiatives, subtly dropping compliments about the firm’s recent achievements. Evan, however, saw an opportunity when the topic shifted to their project.

  “You know,” he said, his tone growing more animated, “our robotics club has been working on a project that might interest you. It’s a fully autonomous bellhop robot designed for enclosed spaces like hotels. It can handle tasks like delivering luggage or responding to voice commands. We’re actually presenting it at a startup event soon.”

  Mrs. Dupont’s eyes lit up, and she leaned in slightly, a gesture that Evan took as genuine interest. “That sounds fascinating,” she said. “A robot like that could be a game changer in the hospitality industry. Tell me more.”

  Encouraged, Evan unched into a more detailed expnation, his enthusiasm growing with each word. He described the robot’s features, its sleek design, and the potential impact it could have on streamlining operations. Mrs. Dupont nodded along, occasionally interjecting with questions that seemed insightful and encouraging.

  Sienna, however, noticed something else. While Mrs. Dupont’s questions were polite, her body nguage told a different story. When Evan mentioned the upcoming startup event, Mrs. Dupont’s gaze flickered to Sienna, as if gauging her reaction. Her compliments about the robot were always followed by subtle remarks that redirected the focus back to the Lancaster family—how innovative the firm was, how forward-thinking its leadership seemed to be.

  At one point, Mrs. Dupont pced a hand lightly on Sienna’s arm, a gesture that seemed almost conspiratorial. “It’s wonderful to see young talent like your stepbrother thriving,” she said. “It must be such a point of pride for you.”

  Sienna smiled politely, her sharp eyes catching the brief, almost imperceptible gnce Mrs. Dupont exchanged with a colleague nearby. The colleague, a man in an impeccably tailored suit, gave the faintest of nods before walking away.

  By the time the conversation ended, Mrs. Dupont had graciously accepted Evan’s invitation to the startup event. She even promised to bring along a few industry contacts who might be interested in the project. Evan was practically glowing as he turned to Sienna once Mrs. Dupont had excused herself.

  “She seemed genuinely interested, didn’t she?” he asked, his eyes bright with excitement. “I can’t wait to show her what we’ve been working on.”

  Sienna’s smile faltered ever so slightly, though she quickly masked it. “You did great, Evan,” she said, her voice warm but careful. “But… we need to talk about a few things ter.”

  Evan’s excitement dimmed slightly, but he nodded. “Sure. What is it?”

  “Later,” Sienna said gently, resting a hand on his arm. “Let’s enjoy the evening first.”

  Her words were reassuring, but there was a subtle weight behind them that made Evan wonder. As they moved through the crowd, Sienna’s mind raced, piecing together the nuances of Mrs. Dupont’s behavior. For now, though, she kept her observations to herself.

  Evan’s excitement carried him through the next hour of the event. He spoke to a few more guests, always staying close to Sienna’s side, his energy buoyed by the conversation with Mrs. Dupont.

  The ballroom continued to hum with activity—ughter, the clinking of gsses, and the soft cadence of music that wove seamlessly into the atmosphere. Yet, Sienna remained unusually quiet, her smiles and responses polished but subdued.

  As the ga progressed, the Lancaster family’s prominence became even more apparent. Guests frequently gravitated toward Sienna, eager to exchange pleasantries or seek her opinion on industry matters. Evan couldn’t help but admire how effortlessly she navigated it all, commanding respect and attention without seeming overbearing. He felt proud to be beside her, even if the evening was a whirlwind he wasn’t entirely accustomed to. As foreign as it felt, there was a part of him that wanted to learn from her, even if it stung his pride a little.

  The event had gone far better than he’d anticipated. Conversations flowed more naturally than he’d feared, and while he was no social butterfly, he didn’t feel out of pce. In fact, a few guests had genuinely seemed interested in what he had to say.

  Maybe it was the confidence he’d started cultivating in this new life, or perhaps people were just more forgiving when you carried the Lancaster name. Whatever it was, he was relieved, even… content.

  Eventually, the ga began winding down. The once-bustling ballroom grew quieter as some attendees drifted toward the terrace for fresh air or took their leave entirely. Sienna excused herself briefly to speak with a colleague, leaving Evan to linger by the dessert table, savoring a small fruit tart. When she returned, her expression was calm but purposeful.

  “Ready to head out?” she asked, slipping her arm through his.

  “Yeah,” he replied with a smile. “It’s been a good night. And Mrs. Dupont—she seemed genuinely interested, didn’t she? I mean, she even said she’d bring contacts to the startup event.”

  Sienna gnced at him, her expression softening. “Let’s talk on the ride back.”

  Evan blinked, slightly puzzled, but he nodded. As they made their way to the car waiting outside, the night air was cool and refreshing, a welcome contrast to the warmth of the ballroom. The drive back to their hotel was quiet at first, the city lights casting fleeting patterns across the car’s interior.

  Finally, Sienna broke the silence. “Evan, about Mrs. Dupont,” she began, her tone measured, “I don’t think her interest was... entirely what it seemed.”

  Evan frowned, shifting slightly in his seat. “What do you mean? She asked a lot of questions about the project, seemed genuinely curious.”

  Sienna sighed softly, turning to face him. “She asked questions, yes, but did you notice how often she redirected the conversation back to me? Or how she kept linking your project to Lancaster Energy, even when it wasn’t necessary?”

  Evan hesitated, his brow furrowing as he thought back. “I mean... I guess she did mention you a lot. But that doesn’t mean she wasn’t interested in the project.”

  “No, it doesn’t,” Sienna agreed. “But there were other things too. Like when she kept gncing at me while you were expining. And when she promised to bring her contacts, she phrased it as wanting to ‘help the Lancasters,’ not specifically the project.”

  Evan’s enthusiasm dimmed further, a hint of doubt creeping in. “You think she was just trying to curry favor with you?”

  Sienna nodded gently. “I’m sorry, Evan. I don’t want to dismiss your hard work, because it’s incredible, and I’m so proud of you. But people like Mrs. Dupont... they’re strategic. She wasn’t looking at the bellhop robot as just a project. She saw it as a way to get closer to the Lancasters.”

  Evan slumped back in his seat, staring out the window as the weight of her words sank in. “Is that so... No wonder it felt so easy”

  Sienna reached over, resting a hand on his. “Hey,” she said softly, her voice full of warmth. “Don’t let this discourage you. Your project does have potential, and it’s going to turn heads at the startup event. You’re going to make the right connections there, with people who genuinely care about what you’re building. This wasn’t about your project—that’s on her, not you.”

  Evan gnced at her, the sincerity in her eyes easing some of the disappointment in his chest. “I guess I just wanted... I don’t know, validation, I suppose.”

  “You don’t need validation from people like her,” Sienna said firmly. “You’ve already got everything you need to succeed. And I have complete faith in you.”

  A small smile tugged at Evan’s lips despite himself. “You mean it?”

  “I do,” Sienna said with a nod. “And I’ll be right there with you, every step of the way.”

  For the rest of the ride, they sat in companionable silence, the earlier tension fading as the city lights flickered past. By the time they reached their hotel, Evan felt lighter, the disappointment no longer as sharp. Sienna’s unwavering belief in him, paired with her keen insight, was enough to ground him.

  As they stepped into the hotel lobby, Sienna linked her arm through his and gave him a sidelong gnce. “Now, how about we forget Mrs. Dupont for the night and order something indulgent from room service? I’m thinking dessert.”

  Evan chuckled, his expression softening. “You know, that sounds perfect. Tonight turned out way better than I expected—might as well celebrate it properly.”

  “Exactly,” Sienna said with a grin.

  As they headed toward the elevator, Evan found himself smiling. The evening hadn’t been perfect, but in the end, it felt like a step forward. And for that, he was quietly grateful.