Twilight of Shadows | LingOrm (GxG)

THREE

The grand ballroom of the Anantara Siam Hotel sparkled under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. The room was a sea of luxury-tailored suits, designer gowns, and the muted hum of polite conversation. The charity gala, hosted by Worachai Imperial Group, was one of the most anticipated events of the year, drawing in the elite of Bangkok's social and business circles.

Fahlada stood near the entrance, exuding an aura of quiet power in an elegant black gown that draped her tall, slender figure. The gown's smooth, silky fabric clung to her curves, accentuating her every movement with a sensual grace. Her dark hair was slicked back into a polished bun, revealing her high cheekbones and a strong, angular jawline that spoke of both sophistication and authority. Her sharp, almond-shaped eyes, outlined in a subtle smoky kohl, scanned the room with a piercing gaze that missed nothing. Every inch of her exuded control and confidence, as if the world itself bent to her will.

But beneath the surface, she was on edge.

Her mind flickered back to the conversation with Apinya earlier that day. The "threat" had been more serious than she had anticipated. An old rival, someone from her father's past, had resurfaced. The family feud that she thought had been buried long ago was beginning to crawl back into her life, like a ghost haunting her from the shadows.

She needed to stay vigilant. Her empire, her daughter-everything she held dear-depended on it.

Yet, even with all the danger looming, there was something else she couldn't stop thinking about. Earn. The actress's name had been mentioned several times in her social circles, and Fahlada had found herself curious. Too curious.

"Khun Fahlada," a voice interrupted her thoughts. It was one of her business associates, a middle-aged man with a polite smile. "May I introduce you to a rising star in the entertainment industry?"

As Fahlada turned to face the newcomer, her gaze locked onto Earn Sarikanya Vichitranonda, and for a heartbeat, everything else seemed to blur. The crowded room, the soft clinking of champagne glasses, the low hum of conversation-it all faded into the background, leaving only the two of them in a moment suspended in time.

Earn was breathtaking. The deep red gown she wore hugged her curves in all the right places, the color accentuating her golden skin. Her long, wavy blonde hair tumbled freely over her shoulders, catching the soft lighting of the room and shimmering like silk. But it wasn't just her beauty that captivated Fahlada-it was the warmth radiating from her, the genuine softness in her eyes that contrasted so starkly with Fahlada's own cool detachment.

For Earn, meeting Fahlada in person was like standing too close to a flame. Her breath caught in her throat as their eyes met, and a rush of heat spread through her body, catching her off guard. She had seen pictures of the business tycoon and studied them but nothing could have prepared her for the sheer magnetism of the woman standing before her.

Fahlada's presence was overwhelming, a mix of power and elegance wrapped in an aura of mystery. Her eyes-cool, dark, and calculating, lingered on Earn.

Earn swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry but she managed a smile. "Khun Fahlada, it's an honor to meet you." She kept her voice steady, though her heart raced wildly in her chest.

Fahlada's lips curved into a small, controlled smile, her eyes never leaving Earn's face. "The honor is mine, Khun Earn. I've heard a lot about you."

Earn's pulse quickened at the sound of Fahlada's voice-a low, velvety tone that sent a delicious shiver down her spine. She couldn't tear her gaze away from Fahlada's lips, wondering what it would feel like to have them against her skin. She forced herself to laugh softly, trying to mask the flood of desire that had caught her so off-guard. "All good things, I hope."