41:The Gala Invitation

Chapter 41: The Gala Invitation

The following Monday morning, Ophelia was awakened by the ringing of her phone.

She reached for it on the bedside table.

Ethan.

A smile found its way onto her face before she answered.

"Good morning."

"I hope I didn't wake you."

"You did."

"I'll make it up to you."

She laughed softly as she sat up.

"I'm listening."

"I need a favor."

"What kind of favor?"

"The Children's Art Foundation Gala is next weekend."

"I remember."

"I'd like you to come with me."

"As your art consultant?"

Ethan chuckled.

"No."

"As my guest."

For a moment, Ophelia was silent.

Not because she didn't know the answer.

Because she knew saying yes would bring her one step deeper into the Ashford family's world.

"I'll be there."

"I was hoping you'd say that."

After ending the call, Ophelia stood by her bedroom window.

She stared at the city below.

One step at a time.

That had always been her rule.

Never rush.

Never assume.

Never let emotions decide the mission.

Yet Ethan made following those rules harder than she cared to admit.

Later that afternoon...

Vivian Sterling arrived at Ophelia's apartment carrying two large shopping bags.

"You didn't tell me to dress casually, so I came prepared."

Ophelia laughed.

"You always come prepared."

Vivian placed the bags on the sofa.

"I heard about the Children's Art Foundation Gala."

"You hear everything."

"It's part of my job."

She began taking elegant dresses out of the bags.

"If you're attending with Ethan Ashford, then looking beautiful isn't optional."

"I wasn't worried about that."

"I know."

Vivian smiled mischievously.

"That's why I'm worried for you."

Ophelia rolled her eyes.

"You are impossible."

"And you're hopeless."

Within minutes, the apartment was covered with dresses in shades of sapphire blue, emerald green, silver, and burgundy.

Vivian held up a midnight-blue gown.

"This one."

"It's elegant."

"It'll make an impression without trying too hard."

Ophelia studied it for a moment before nodding.

"I like it."

"I knew you would."

As Vivian packed the remaining dresses, she suddenly became thoughtful.

"You know..."

"What?"

"I've never seen you let anyone get this close before."

Ophelia looked away.

"Neither have I."

Vivian smiled gently.

"Just promise me one thing."

"What?"

"If he ever gives you a reason to cry..."

She folded her arms.

"I'll handle him myself."

Ophelia burst into laughter.

"I don't doubt it."

That evening...

Nathan's flight landed.

His driver opened the car door outside the private terminal.

"Welcome home, Mr. Ashford."

Nathan stepped inside the waiting vehicle.

"Anything important while I was away?"

His assistant handed him a tablet.

"The charity gala is this weekend."

"I know."

"Mr. Ethan will be attending."

Nathan continued reading.

"And?"

"He'll be bringing Miss Ophelia."

Nathan's expression didn't change.

But he read that line twice.

"Interesting."

The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

"Sir?"

Nathan closed the tablet.

"It seems I'll finally have another chance to speak with Miss Ophelia."

Outside, the city lights blurred past the windows.

Nathan's thoughts returned to the mysterious woman who had appeared in Ethan's life.

He still couldn't explain why she unsettled him.

And he disliked mysteries he couldn't solve.

Across town, Ophelia carefully placed the midnight-blue gown inside her wardrobe.

She smiled to herself.

It was only a gala.

Or so she believed.

She had no idea...

That by the end of the evening, she would come face-to-face with someone who had known April far better than she ever imagined.