Alexander had never once brought Amy to an event like this.

He'd always assumed she wouldn't belong in this world of polished smiles and calculated conversations.

That disastrous incident at Liam's birthday party had only reinforced his belief—proof that she didn't fit in among the elite.

But tonight, as he watched her move through the crowd, he realized how wrong he'd been.

Amy wasn't flustered.

She wasn't out of place.

Instead, she carried herself with quiet confidence, her presence commanding attention without effort.

Victoria approached Alexander, ready to ask him about his latest business venture.

But his gaze never left Amy.

A sharp pang of jealousy twisted in Victoria's chest.

Just then, a strikingly handsome man with sharp features and an easy smile strode toward Amy.

"Celeste, you're here!"

Amy turned, her face lighting up at the sight of Julian.

"Julian! I didn't expect to see you tonight."

Since joining his translation team, they'd grown closer, their shared passion for music bridging the gap between them.

Julian made no secret of his admiration for her.

"Celeste, I know Arthur Pendleton well. Come, let me introduce you."

He believed in giving the woman he admired every opportunity to shine.

Amy hesitated, glancing at Benjamin.

Benjamin saw right through Julian's intentions.

Normally, he would have stepped in.

But tonight, he didn't.

Instead, he gave her a small nod. "Go. This is a chance you shouldn't miss."

Benjamin knew Amy was destined for greatness.

Despite the obstacles thrown her way—by Alexander, by Nathan, by the Harringtons—she had clawed her way forward.

And if she ever rose to the heights she deserved, he had no doubt the Harringtons would try to drag her back down.

Every connection she made now would be armor for the battles ahead.

Unless she chose to stay small.

But that was impossible.

She was a star—meant to burn bright.

Amy exhaled, then nodded. "Alright."

As she walked away with Julian, Benjamin clenched his fists.

He needed to be stronger.

To become someone who could stand beside her, shield her, ensure no one could ever hurt her again.

The memory of what Theodore Whitmore Jr. and the Harringtons had done to her darkened his thoughts.

He wasn't powerful enough yet.

Not enough to face them.

But he would be.

Because they had hurt her.

And he would never forget that.

Amy had been cast out of the Harrington family after the scandal at her birthday party.

Somehow, she and Aurora's fiancé, Theodore, had been found in the same bed.

Amy swore nothing had happened.

She insisted she didn't even like him.

But no one listened.

When Harrison Harrington saw what had happened, he struck her across the face in front of everyone.

Then, coldly, he gave her a choice: marry Theodore, or leave the family.

Amy chose to walk away.

Not long after, her mother passed away.

Those days were a blur of grief and numbness for Amy.

Benjamin couldn't bear it.

He tried to confront the Harringtons, to demand the truth.

But before he could reach them, he overheard Theodore talking to a friend.

And that was when he learned the truth.

Theodore had orchestrated it all.

With a smirk, Theodore had said, "If she's disowned before she gains any influence, she'll never be a threat to Aurora."