Bound by Deception

The Gala Trap

Chapter Five

Sophie’s heels clicked against the polished marble floor of the ballroom as she stepped into a world she thought she had left behind.

The grand chandeliers glowed overhead, reflecting off the crystal glasses and designer gowns that filled the room. Waiters in tuxedos weaved between elite lawyers and socialites, offering champagne on silver trays.

And at the center of it all was Reid & Locke, Daniel’s empire, the firm where she had once burned herself out trying to prove she belonged.

Now, she wasn’t here as an associate. She was here as Daniel’s date.

It was surreal.

“Breathe, Patel,” a familiar voice teased beside her.

She shot Daniel a glare, but he was focused ahead, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back.

Too light to feel like possession. Too deliberate to feel meaningless.

“This is a terrible idea,” she muttered under her breath.

Daniel didn’t even blink. “It’s a necessary idea.”

Sophie exhaled sharply but kept her expression neutral. This room was filled with people who would eat her alive at the first sign of weakness—lawyers, investors, and most dangerously, the firm’s partners.

And some of them… were not friends.

“Wow,” a voice whispered near her ear, and Sophie almost collapsed in relief.

Zara Malik.

Her best friend. Her former law school roommate. And the only person who had truly understood why Sophie walked away from this world.

Zara slipped into step beside her, her emerald-green gown flowing elegantly as she linked arms with Sophie.

“You’re dating Daniel Reid?” Zara whispered, barely hiding her delightful horror.

Sophie forced a smile. “Long story.”

Zara’s dark eyes sparkled. “Oh, I need to hear this later.”

Daniel cleared his throat. “Nice to see you again, Zara.”

Zara smirked. “You too, boss man.”

Sophie almost laughed at the way Daniel’s jaw ticked. Zara had always been the one person who never feared him.

Before Daniel could respond, a smooth, arrogant voice cut through the air.

“Well, well. Look who’s back.”

Sophie went rigid.

James Lancaster.

The firm’s golden boy. The man who had made her life miserable as a junior associate—stealing credit, undermining her work, and making sure she never got ahead.

And now, he was staring at her with a smirk that made her stomach turn.

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” James drawled, eyes flicking between her and Daniel. “And on Reid’s arm, no less.”

Before Sophie could speak, Daniel’s grip on her waist tightened slightly.

“Careful, Lancaster,” Daniel said smoothly. “You’re talking about my girlfriend.”

James’s smirk faltered, just for a second.

Zara barely contained her glee.

Sophie, however, felt her heart pound too hard.

Because the way Daniel had said it—**possessive, warning, completely unshaken—**was too damn believable.

James chuckled, lifting his hands in mock surrender. “Relax, Reid. Just surprised, that’s all.” His gaze flicked back to Sophie. “You always were ambitious.”

Zara squeezed Sophie’s arm in silent warning.

Sophie smiled sweetly. “And you were always insecure, James.”

His smirk dropped.

Daniel’s lips twitched.

Zara outright grinned.

“Excuse us,” Daniel said, pulling Sophie away before James could recover.

Once they were out of earshot, Sophie exhaled sharply. “I hate that guy.”

Daniel’s hand remained at her back, steady. “You handled him well.”

She glanced up at him. “So did you.”

Daniel smirked, but before he could respond, another voice joined them.

“Daniel, you finally made it.”

Sophie turned—and felt her stomach drop.

A tall, elegant woman in a shimmering silver dress approached them, her red lips curving into a knowing smile.

Lillian Carter.

Daniel’s ex.

And the woman who had nearly destroyed him.

Tonight was about to get a lot more complicated.