Taking Her Home

Aurora found herself isolated in a corner, her eyes following Sophia as she tenderly used a napkin to wipe away the drink that had ruined Ethan's shirt and hairstyle. The unfortunate spill had forced them to make an early exit from the party. Aurora was drowning her sorrows, glass after glass of champagne. Had her grandfather not insisted she attend the event, citing her recent melancholy, she wouldn't have had to deal with this absurd social circus.

"Little future Ms. Fairbank, you're quite the audacious one, aren't you?" came a voice from behind her. Turning, she found Alaric Strider, impeccably dressed in a white suit, taking a seat beside her.

"Always have been," Aurora replied, her lips curling into a half-smile, half-smirk that betrayed a mix of amusement and disdain.

Alaric pointed subtly towards Silas, who had been casting glances in their direction all evening. "That young man from the Song family seems to have taken quite an interest in you, hasn't he?"

Aurora took another s