Chapter 467

Time seemed to freeze at that moment. Caught between struggle and reluctance, a thousand unspoken words seemed to appear in Ethan's eyes. He smiled faintly at me. The corners of lips curved in a way that was almost bittersweet. I turned away. I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze. My heart pounded painfully in my chest, as though it might leap from my throat. Vivian was still arm-in-arm with Ethan. She smiled radiantly as she greeted the guests. She exuded beauty and charm, the very epitome of a darling in high society. And here I was—just a rising star on the runway and a humble designer at a small publicly listed company. How could I ever compete with the heir of a global empire like Mars Group? I forced a bitter smile. I took the glass of champagne and downed it in one motion. The bitter liquid burned as it slid down my throat, leaving a lingering heat in its wake. Perhaps it was time to let go after all. But I had no one to blame but myself. When Ethan knelt before me