Tangled in trophies....or tangled in each other?
Evangeline Vittori, tennis prodigy and five-time Grand Slam champion, is adored by those closest to her and misunderstood by the world. After her mother's death, her father's ambition drove her to hei...
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The charity gala was already in full swing when Evangeline arrived, stepping out of her car to a flurry of cameras. She adjusted her dress, a cream silk dresswith an elegant slit, subtly glamorous but understated enough to let her feel comfortable. The fabric flowed as she walked, and for a moment, she straightened her shoulders, willing herself into the right mindset for the night. This wasn't her usual environment, but Clara had been insistent.
"It's good for you to be seen at events like this, Evie," Clara had said. "Besides, there'll be a few familiar faces tonight." That was an understatement.
Inside the ballroom, chandeliers cast a warm glow over the crowd, and laughter bubbled up from clusters of people sipping drinks. The scent of expensive cologne and champagne filled the air. Clara had arranged for Evangeline to sit at a table with a mixture of other athletes, including some Formula 1 drivers—namely Lando Norris and, apparently, his teammate, Oscar Piastri. Though she had heard his name, she'd yet to meet him.
As Evangeline scanned the room, her gaze fell on Lando. He was talking to a group of team personnel, looking polished in a sharp black tuxedo. She allowed herself a brief pause, taking in the sight of him, before she pushed forward. Just as she reached the entrance to the main hall, a light tap on her shoulder made her turn.
Lando stood there, an easygoing smile on his face. "Glad you made it," he said, his tone warm. "Thought you might try to get out of it."
Evangeline raised an eyebrow. "And let Clara's wrath rain down on me? No, thanks."
He chuckled. "Smart choice." Gesturing to the man beside him, he added, "Evangeline, meet Oscar Piastri—my teammate. Figured you two might have a few things in common" He joked.
Oscar offered a warm smile, his handshake firm. "Pleasure to meet you. I hear you're pretty formidable on the court."
Evangeline smiled back, intrigued by his straightforwardness. "And I hear you're the same on track"
Oscar glanced over at Lando. "Is that right? Sounds like I need to keep a closer eye on what this one's saying about me," he joked, nudging Lando playfully.
Lando just grinned. "I keep it mostly complimentary."
The three of them exchanged an easy laugh, and just like that, the evening felt more relaxed. Oscar had an effortless charm, and Evangeline found herself naturally gravitating toward their friendly banter. As they chatted, she noticed how Oscar shared the same unbothered confidence she'd honed on the tennis court—a grounded sense of humor that made him feel easy to be around.
They were soon called toward the tables, where Clara met them and guided them to their seats. Evangeline's easy mood wavered slightly when she saw who else was at their table: her ex-boyfriend, Ben Shelton. He was in deep conversation with another athlete, but the moment his gaze fell on her, his expression shifted to one of mild surprise. The American tennis player quickly masked it with a polite grin.
