AN UNWANTED INTRODUCTION
1594 Words
Chapter 20 – An Unwanted Introduction
The applause echoed throughout the grand ballroom as Ethan and Olivia completed the final steps of their waltz.
For a brief moment, neither of them moved.
Olivia's hand still rested in Ethan's.
His arm remained gently around her waist.
The guests rose to their feet, applauding warmly.
"Beautiful!"
"What a wonderful performance!"
"They're the perfect couple!"
Olivia smiled shyly as Ethan led her off the dance floor.
"You were amazing," he said.
She laughed softly.
"I nearly stepped on your foot twice."
"But you didn't."
"Only because you kept saving me."
He smiled.
"That's what partners do."
His words lingered in Olivia's heart long after he had spoken them.
---
The evening continued with speeches, dinner, and charity auctions.
Ethan spoke briefly about the Carter Foundation's latest projects, receiving another round of applause.
When he returned to their table, Olivia smiled proudly.
"You were wonderful."
"I've given that speech many times."
"Maybe."
She looked into his eyes.
"But tonight felt different."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Why?"
"Because I was proud to stand beside you."
For a second...
Ethan forgot about the hundreds of guests around them.
He simply smiled.
"Thank you."
---
Meanwhile...
Near the entrance of the ballroom...
Victor Hayes quietly observed the couple from a distance.
His assistant stepped beside him.
"Sir."
Victor didn't look away.
"Yes?"
"The chairman of Whitmore Industries wishes to introduce you to Mr. Carter."
Victor's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Perfect."
---
A few minutes later, the host approached Ethan's table.
"Mr. Carter."
Ethan stood politely.
"Good evening."
"I'd like you to meet someone."
Ethan's expression remained calm.
"Of course."
The crowd parted.
A tall man in an expensive charcoal suit walked forward with effortless confidence.
His sharp gray eyes met Ethan's.
A cold smile appeared on his face.
"Mr. Carter."
"It's finally a pleasure to meet you."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Ethan's expression became unreadable.
"Victor Hayes."
Victor extended his hand.
"I've been looking forward to this."
After a brief pause...
Ethan accepted the handshake.
"It seems you've been persistent."
Victor chuckled.
"I admire successful people."
"And I dislike unanswered invitations."
Olivia quietly stood beside Ethan.
She could immediately sense the tension between the two men.
Neither of them smiled naturally.
Neither looked relaxed.
It felt less like a greeting...
And more like two rivals measuring each other.
---
Victor finally turned toward Olivia.
His smile softened.
"And you must be Mrs. Carter."
Olivia offered a polite smile.
"It's nice to meet you."
Victor gently shook her hand.
"The pleasure is mine."
"I've heard a great deal about you."
Olivia looked surprised.
"You have?"
"The entire city has."
He smiled politely.
"I must admit..."
"The newspapers didn't do your beauty justice."
Olivia thanked him politely.
"That's very kind."
Ethan quietly stepped a little closer to her.
The movement was subtle.
Almost unnoticeable.
But Victor noticed.
A small smile crossed his face.
Interesting.
---
Whitmore's chairman laughed cheerfully.
"I was hoping two of the city's greatest businessmen might finally meet."
Victor smiled.
"I certainly hope this won't be our last conversation."
Ethan met his gaze.
"We'll see."
Victor nodded before excusing himself.
"It was a pleasure meeting both of you."
As he walked away, Olivia looked at Ethan.
"Do you know him well?"
Ethan's eyes followed Victor across the ballroom.
"Too well."
"What happened?"
He remained silent for several moments.
Finally...
"We've been competitors for years."
"Business?"
"Yes."
"But business isn't the only reason."
Olivia could hear the seriousness in his voice.
She decided not to ask any more questions.
Not tonight.
---
Across the ballroom, Victor accepted another glass of champagne.
His assistant approached once more.
"Sir..."
"Your first impression?"
Victor smiled faintly.
"Better than I expected."
"And Mrs. Carter?"
He glanced toward Olivia, who was laughing softly at something William had just said.
"She's exactly what the reports described."
"Kind."
"Genuine."
"Innocent."
His smile slowly faded.
"Which makes her..."
"...the perfect weakness."
The assistant lowered his voice.
"Should we proceed?"
Victor swirled the champagne in his glass.
"Not yet."
"People protect what they love."
He looked directly at Ethan.
"So first..."
"I'll make sure Ethan realizes exactly how much he has to lose."
---
As the charity ball came to an end, Ethan and Olivia walked toward the hotel entrance together.
The cool night air greeted them as Daniel opened the Rolls-Royce door.
Olivia looked at Ethan.
"You've been quiet."
"I'm thinking."
"About Victor?"
He nodded once.
"I don't trust him."
She gently touched his arm.
"Whatever it is..."
"You won't face it alone."
Ethan looked at her.
For the first time that evening...
The tension in his face softened.
"I know."
Neither of them realized that, across the street, Victor's car remained parked in the shadows.
From behind the tinted window, he watched the Rolls-Royce drive away.
His lips curved into a cold smile.
"The game has finally begun."
The drive back to Carter Manor was unusually quiet.
The bright city lights flashed past the windows of the Rolls-Royce, but neither Ethan nor Olivia spoke for several minutes.
Olivia stole a glance at him.
His eyes were fixed on the road ahead, his expression thoughtful.
She had never seen him so serious after a charity event.
Finally, she broke the silence.
"Victor Hayes..."
"...he isn't just a business rival, is he?"
Ethan remained quiet for a moment.
"No."
She waited patiently.
"He used to be a close business associate."
Her eyebrows lifted in surprise.
"Really?"
Ethan nodded.
"We built several successful projects together years ago."
"What happened?"
"He stopped caring about honesty."
Olivia frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"He believed success was worth any price."
"He bribed officials, manipulated contracts, and tried to force smaller companies into bankruptcy."
"And when I refused to support him..."
"...we became enemies."
Olivia looked at him quietly.
"So that's why you rejected all his meeting requests."
"Yes."
"I don't want Carter Group associated with him."
She smiled gently.
"I think you made the right decision."
Ethan looked at her.
"You do?"
"I'd rather have less money than lose my integrity."
A small smile appeared on Ethan's face.
"That's exactly what my mother used to say."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Olivia reached over and gently placed her hand on his.
"I'm glad you stayed true to yourself."
Without saying anything, Ethan turned his hand over and intertwined his fingers with hers.
The rest of the journey felt peaceful.
---
Back at Carter Manor, William was waiting in the sitting room.
The moment they walked in, he smiled.
"So..."
"How was the ball?"
Olivia laughed.
"It was wonderful."
"And your dance?"
William asked.
She smiled proudly.
"We didn't make a single mistake."
William looked at Ethan.
"I told you she'd learn quickly."
Ethan nodded.
"She did."
William noticed the tired look on Ethan's face.
"Something happened."
It wasn't a question.
It was an observation.
Ethan sat down.
"I met Victor Hayes."
William's smile immediately disappeared.
"He approached you?"
"Yes."
William sighed heavily.
"I was hoping that wouldn't happen."
Olivia looked between them.
"You know him too?"
William nodded.
"Unfortunately."
"He was once considered one of the brightest businessmen in the country."
"What changed?"
"Greed."
William's voice grew heavy.
"Victor always wanted more."
"When success wasn't enough..."
"...he wanted power."
He looked directly at Ethan.
"Be careful."
"I always am."
William shook his head.
"Not with him."
"Victor doesn't fight fairly."
---
Across the city, Victor Hayes stood on the balcony of his penthouse overlooking the glittering skyline.
His assistant approached cautiously.
"Sir."
Victor didn't turn around.
"What did you find?"
"Our investigation is complete."
He handed Victor another file.
Victor opened it slowly.
Inside were photographs of Olivia visiting shelters, helping hospital patients, and spending time with children during charity events.
There were even pictures of her buying flowers for the elderly man in the park.
Victor smiled coldly.
"So..."
"She's exactly as kind as everyone says."
The assistant nodded.
"People adore her."
Victor looked at one particular photograph of Olivia laughing beside Ethan.
His expression darkened.
"The kinder the heart..."
"...the easier it is to manipulate."
The assistant hesitated.
"What are your orders?"
Victor closed the file.
"I don't want anyone hurting her."
The assistant looked confused.
"Sir?"
Victor smiled.
"Not physically."
"That would be too simple."
"I want her to question everything."
"I want Ethan distracted."
"And when he's no longer focused on business..."
"...I'll take everything else."
His assistant lowered his head.
"I understand."
Victor looked out over the city one last time.
"Ethan believes this is just business."
He chuckled softly.
"It stopped being business years ago."
"This..."
"...is personal."
---
The next morning, sunlight streamed into Carter Manor once again.
Olivia walked into the dining room carrying fresh flowers she had picked from the garden.
She placed them carefully in the center of the breakfast table.
"They brighten the room," she said with a smile.
Ethan looked at the flowers.
Then he looked at her.
"I think you do that."
Olivia blinked.
"What?"
"You brighten every room you walk into."
A deep blush spread across her cheeks.
William laughed loudly from the other end of the table.
"My grandson has become quite the romantic."
Ethan looked slightly embarrassed.
"I only told the truth."
Olivia lowered her eyes, smiling to herself.
For a little while longer...
The warmth of Carter Manor remained untouched.
But far beyond its gates...
Someone was already making plans to tear that happiness apart.
And neither Ethan nor Olivia knew...
That Victor Hayes had already made his next move.
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