Chapter 2 The Gala Encounter

The Waldorf Astoria's grand ballroom shimmered under a constellation of chandeliers, casting golden light across a sea of tailored tuxedos and designer gowns. Anita Williams ,26, tugged at the strap of her emerald green dress, a borrowed piece from her friend Maya's closet that felt both empowering and foreign. She was no stranger to high pressure assignments, having clawed her way from intern to staff writer at Daily Chronicles, a gritty publication known for unearthing truths the powerful preferred to keep buried.

Tonight, her editor, Monica Reed, had handed her a golden ticket: profile Liam Thompson, the elusive billionaire CEO of Thompson's Enterprises ."He's a mystery, Harper" Monica had barked over the phone. "Crack him open, or don't come back."Anita sipped sparkling water, her press badge tucked discreetly in her clutch. The charity gala for literacy programs buzzed with New York's elite senators laughing too loudly, tech heiresses flaunting diamond bracelets, and reporters like her hovering near the open bar, sniffing for stories. Liam Thompson was the prize: a tech and media mogul who dodged interviews like a shadow, his charm as legendary as his secrecy. She'd studied his photos dark hair, piercing blue eyes, a jawline sharp enough to cut glass but photos didn't capture presence. She needed the man himself.Her phone buzzed. A text from Maya Torres, City Pulse's star photographer and her best friend: "Spotted Mr. Dreamy CEO yet? Bet he's hotter than his Forbes cover. Don't trip in those heels, girl. Anita smirked, typing back: Focus, Maya. I'm here for the story, not a date. Maya's response a string of heart eyes emojis was promptly ignored.A ripple of attention shifted the room's energy. Heads turned, whispers spread like wildfire. Anita followed the collective gaze to the ballroom's entrance. There he was. Liam Thompson stepped into the light, over six feet of lean confidence in a tailored black tuxedo. His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he'd run a hand through it moments ago, and those blue eyes scanned the room with a quiet intensity, like a predator assessing his domain. But it was his smile: easy, confident, with a hint of mischief,that made Anita's breath catch. He moved through the crowd with effortless grace, shaking hands with a silver haired philanthropist, laughing at a tech bro's quip, nodding politely at a gushing socialite. His charm was a weapon, wielded with precision.Confident posture, disarming smile, controls the room without trying, Anita noted mentally, her journalist's instinct kicking in. She needed an opening, something to break the ice without seeming like another fawning reporter. Her chance came when Liam slipped away from the crowd, heading to a quieter corner near the balcony doors, a glass of amber liquid whiskey, she guessed in hand. His expression softened, the polished mask slipping, revealing a flicker of something real.Anita took a deep breath, smoothing her dress, and approached, her heels clicking on the marble floor. "Mr. Thompson", Anita Williams from Daily Chronicles. I was hoping for a moment of your time."He turned, and those blue eyes locked onto hers, sharp and curious, like a summer sky after a storm. Up close, his presence was magnetic, his gaze flicking over her not sleazy, but with a curiosity that made her skin tingle. "A journalist," he said, his voice low and smooth, with a trace of amusement. "You don't blend in as well as you think, Ms. Williams. That dress gives you away."She raised an eyebrow, refusing to be thrown. "Is that a compliment or a critique?""A little of both." He tilted his head, studying her. "What's the angle? Ruthless tycoon? Secret philanthropist? Or something more... creative?"She smiled, matching his playful tone. "I haven't decided yet. Maybe you can help me figure it out."He chuckled, a sound that warmed the air between them. "Bold. I like that. But I don't do interviews, Ms. Williams. Too many reporters twist words to fit their narrative.""I don't twist words," she said firmly, holding his gaze. "I tell the truth. And I think your story whatever it is deserves to be told right."His eyes narrowed slightly, as if weighing her sincerity. "The truth," he repeated, almost to himself. "That's a rare commodity in this room." Before she could respond, a woman in a shimmering silver gown approached, her smile too bright. "Liam, darling, you're neglecting your guests!" she cooed, looping her arm through his. Liam's expression shifted back to that polished charm, but Anita caught a flicker of irritation in his eyes."Duty calls," he said to Anita, his tone apologetic yet teasing. "But I'll consider your offer, Ms. Williams. Find me later if you can keep up." He flashed that mischievous smile and let the woman lead him away.Anita watched him go, her pulse racing. He was sharp, charismatic, and infuriatingly elusive. She'd expected a cold, corporate type, not this... enigma. Her notebook burned a hole in her clutch, begging for notes, but she resisted. This wasn't a story she could scribble in shorthand. Liam Thompson was a puzzle, and she was determined to solve him.Back at the bar, Maya found her camera slung over her shoulder. "Well?" she demanded, brown eyes sparkling. "Did you get the quote of the century or just swoon like the rest of us?"Anita laughed, shaking her head. "He's... different. Not what I expected.""Dangerous words, babe," Maya teased. "Don't fall for the charm. You're here to expose him, not date him.""I'm not falling for anything," Anita said, but her voice lacked conviction. She glanced across the room, where Liam was now surrounded by a small crowd, his laughter carrying over the music. Her gut told her there was more to him than the polished CEO facade something real, something hidden. And she'd always been good at finding what people tried to hide.As the gala wound down, her feet ached, and her mind buzzed with questions. Stepping into the cool New York night, her phone buzzed with an email from an unknown sender: Look into Project Nexus. Thompson's not what he seems. No signature, no context. Anita's heart skipped a beat. Anonymous tips were her bread and butter, but this one felt different, dangerous, even. She glanced back at the Waldorf's glowing entrance, where valets ushered guests into sleek cars. Liam was still inside, probably charming another donor or dodging another reporter. Their brief exchange had lit a spark, one she wasn't sure she could ignore. This story was bigger than she'd thought, and Liam Thompson had captured her attention for better or worse. Anita secures an interview with Liam at Thompson's Enterprises ' sleek headquarters. Their banter is sharp, but he deflects questions about Project Nexus, a failed AI project, with polished charm. She presses about his avoidance of the press, and he shares a glimpse of his past raising his sister, Sophia, after their parents' death in a car accident softening her resolve. Her research uncovers Nexus rumors: privacy violations, missing funds, and a sudden shutdown. An anonymous tip a grainy photo of a Nexus prototype points to Victor Kline, a fired executive.