The Blackwood Enterprises Annual Gala was the crown jewel of the corporate calendar - a glittering event where the city's elite gathered to sip champagne and broker power deals. Aria had spent weeks preparing for it, throwing herself into work to avoid thinking about Sophie's shattered trust or Ethan's conflicted gaze. But as she stood in the shadows of the grand ballroom, adjusting her emerald gown, she felt like an imposter in a world that wasn't hers.

Ethan stood across the room, flawlessly composed in a tuxedo, surrounded by investors and journalists. He hadn't spoken to her since Sophie's outburst, their only communication clipped emails about the Luxe Cosmetics campaign. But his eyes found hers now, dark and unreadable, before he turned away.

*Just some intern.*

Sophie's words echoed in her mind. Aria gripped her champagne flute tighter, her nails digging into her palm.

The evening unraveled swiftly.

Midway through his keynote speech, Ethan paused as murmurs rippled through the crowd. Aria's blood ran cold when she saw *him* - Alex Kensington, the silver-haired CEO of Luxe Cosmetics, striding toward the stage with a predatory smirk.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Alex interrupted, seizing the microphone. "Before we applaud Blackwood's *vision*, let's address the elephant in the room. Your star intern - " he pointed at Aria, his voice dripping with mockery, " - has been *distracted* lately. Too busy cozying up to her boss to notice critical errors in your campaign."

The room fell silent. Cameras swiveled toward Aria.

"You see," Alex continued, "the data leaks, the missed deadlines - all traced back to *her*. Or is that just a cover for Ethan's? *poor judgment*?"

Aria's knees buckled. Lies. All of it. But the crowd erupted in whispers, journalists scribbling furiously. Ethan's face was stone, but she saw the flicker of panic in his eyes.

Sophie, standing near the bar in a crimson dress, locked eyes with Aria. *This is your fault*, her glare screamed.

Before Ethan could respond, Aria stepped forward, her voice cutting through the noise. "Mr. Kensington, if you're so concerned about *errors*, perhaps you should explain why Luxe's sales dropped 20% last quarter after your failed rebrand."

The crowd gasped. Alex's smirk faltered.

"And as for distractions," Aria added, her voice steady despite the storm inside her, "I've spent every waking hour salvaging *your* mess. The real question is why you're so threatened by an intern."

The room buzzed. Ethan stared at her, a mix of awe and fury in his gaze.

Alex's face flushed. "You think you're clever, girl? Let's see how clever you are when the board learns your *relationship* with Ethan compromised this entire deal."

The accusation landed like a bomb. Flashbulbs exploded. Sophie covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

Ethan stormed off the stage, grabbing Aria's arm and pulling her into a secluded hallway. "What the *hell* were you thinking?"

"Saving your company!" she shot back, wrenching free.

"By exposing us?!"

"*You* exposed us the moment you kissed me!" Her voice broke. "I'm done being your secret, Ethan. Done pretending this - " she gestured between them, " - isn't real!"

He gripped her shoulders, his voice raw. "You think I *want* to hide you? The board will vote me out if this scandal blows up! My family will - "

"Your *family*?" Aria laughed bitterly. "Sophie hates me. Your parents will never accept me. And you - you're too scared to fight for anything that isn't a spreadsheet!"

Ethan's grip tightened. "You have no idea what I've sacrificed - "

"Then tell me!" she screamed.

For a heartbeat, they stood frozen, chests heaving, the air thick with decades of unspoken pain.

Then Ethan kissed her.

It was nothing like their previous kisses - desperate, angry, a collision of fear and longing. Aria kissed him back just as fiercely, her fingers tangling in his hair, her tears mingling with the taste of his lips.

When they pulled apart, Ethan pressed his forehead to hers, his voice ragged. "I love you, Aria. And I'll fix this. But I need you to trust me."

Before she could respond, shouts erupted from the ballroom. The Luxe deal was collapsing. Reporters were circling Sophie. The board was demanding answers.

Ethan straightened his tie, his mask of control slipping back into place. "Stay here. I'll handle it."

But as he walked away, Aria knew the truth: this wasn't a problem he could bully into submission. Their world was crumbling, and love might not be enough to save it.

The climax loomed - a storm with no shelter.