The tension from her encounter with Kate in the restroom still lingered as Jalissa reentered the grand ballroom. However, instead of letting it weigh her down, it fueled her resolve. Kate's insinuations and veiled barbs were just another reminder of how far Jalissa had comeâand how much further she intended to go.
The night was far from over, and Jalissa wasn't about to let anyone dim her shine.
Victor spotted her as she returned to his side, his expression softening when he noticed the slight tension in her face. "Everything all right?" he asked quietly, stepping aside from the conversation he'd been having with Ja-Joon.
"Just fine," Jalissa said with a calm smile. "Kate and I had a little chat in the restroom. Nothing I couldn't handle."
Victor's eyebrows rose slightly. "Do I need to call security?"
She laughed softly, shaking her head. "No need. I think she got the message loud and clear."
Victor smirked, but there was a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "You're full of surprises, Jalissa. Remind me never to underestimate you."
"I'll make sure you don't," she replied smoothly.
As the evening progressed, Jalissa continued to make an impression on everyone she encountered. Victor introduced her to a group of international investors, and she listened intently as they discussed the challenges of breaking into new markets.
When one of the investors asked Jalissa for her opinion, she answered with poise and intelligence. "I think the key to entering any market is understanding the culture first. It's not just about selling a product; it's about building relationships and trust. For instance, in Southeast Asia, partnerships often rely on mutual respect and personal connections. Ignoring that can be a dealbreaker, no matter how great your product is."
The group nodded in agreement, and one of the investors, an older gentleman from Singapore, smiled warmly. "Victor, you've found yourself an impressive asset."
Victor glanced at Jalissa, his expression unreadable but clearly pleased. "She's much more than that."
Later in the evening, the music softened, signaling the start of the formal dance portion of the gala. Jalissa stood by the edge of the room, observing as couples took to the floor. She had just taken a sip of her champagne when Victor appeared beside her.
"Would you care to dance?" he asked, extending a hand.
Jalissa hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his. "Why not?"
Victor led her to the dance floor with ease, his hand resting lightly on her waist as they began to sway to the music. Jalissa couldn't help but notice how natural it felt, as if they had done this a hundred times before.
"You're full of surprises tonight," Victor said, his tone light. "First dazzling the investors, and now stealing the spotlight on the dance floor."
"I aim to exceed expectations," Jalissa replied, her voice tinged with amusement.
"You've certainly done that," he said, his gaze holding hers for a moment longer than necessary.
The dance ended too quickly, and as they returned to their previous spots, Jalissa couldn't shake the feeling that something between them had shifted.
The night was winding down, and Jalissa had stepped out onto the terrace for a moment of fresh air. The crisp breeze was a welcome reprieve from the warmth of the ballroom, and she took a deep breath, letting it calm her.
She was about to head back inside when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Well, if it isn't Jalissa Madden."
She turned to see Ethan standing there, his tie loosened and a drink in hand. His cheeks were slightly flushed, and she could tell he'd had more than a few glasses of champagne.
"Ethan," she said, her tone neutral.
"I couldn't believe it when I saw you earlier," he said, stepping closer. "Here with Victor Owens of all people. That's... unexpected."
Jalissa straightened her posture, her expression calm. "Life's full of surprises."
Ethan let out a bitter laugh. "You always had a way of landing on your feet. I just didn't expect you to land here."
"Is there something you need, Ethan?" she asked, her voice steady.
He took a hesitant step closer. "I didn't think I'd get a chance to talk to you tonight."
Jalissa crossed her arms, her posture guarded. "What is there to talk about?"
Ethan's gaze dropped for a moment before meeting hers again. "A lot, actually. IâI've been meaning to reach out, but I didn't know how to... or if you'd even want to hear from me."
She raised an eyebrow, her voice calm but firm. "Considering the way things ended, I think you know the answer to that."
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I deserved that. Look, Jalissa, I know I messed up. I know I hurt you in ways I can't take back. But seeing you here tonight... I don't even have the words."
"Try," she said, her tone steady.
He hesitated before speaking. "You look incredible, and not just because of the dress or the event. You've... changed. You're so composed, so confident. It's like you've become this whole new person."
Jalissa tilted her head, her gaze unwavering. "You don't get to take credit for that, Ethan."
"I'm not," he said quickly. "I'm just saying... I didn't realize how much I held you back. And seeing you now, IâI feel like I owe you an apology for everything."
Her lips pressed into a thin line. "An apology doesn't change what you did. You didn't just hurt me, Ethan. You used me. You took everything I gave you and then walked away like it meant nothing."
He flinched at her words, guilt etched on his face. "You're right. I was selfish. I was so focused on what I wantedâon building a life I thought I deservedâthat I didn't stop to think about what it was costing you. And by the time I realized it, it was too late."
Jalissa took a deep breath, her emotions swirling. Part of her had been waiting for this moment, but now that it was here, she felt nothing but a calm sense of finality.
"I loved you, Ethan," she said quietly. "And I gave you everything I had. But you made your choice, and I had to rebuild from the ground up. I don't need closure from you because I found it on my own."
Ethan's shoulders sagged slightly, his voice soft. "You deserve the world, Jalissa. And I hate that I wasn't the one to give it to you."
She straightened her posture, her confidence radiating. "You're rightâI do deserve the world. And for the first time, I'm giving it to myself."
Ethan nodded, his expression conflicted. "I hope... I hope you find everything you're looking for."
"I already have," she replied.
The weight of their shared history hung in the air for a moment before Ethan stepped back. "Take care of yourself, Jalissa."
"You too," she said, her voice steady.
As he walked away, Jalissa took another deep breath, letting the cool air wash over her. . The conversation hadn't been easy, but it had been necessary. She had faced her past and come out stronger on the other side.She wasn't the same woman who had once been at Ethan's mercy, and moments like this reminded her just how far she had come.
As the gala came to an end, Victor found Jalissa by the bar, sipping on her champagne.
"Enjoying yourself?" he asked, his tone warm.
"More than I expected," she admitted.
Victor raised his glass. "To a successful evening."
"To new beginnings," Jalissa replied, clinking her glass against his.
The clinking sound felt symbolicâan acknowledgment of the strides she had made and the future that lay ahead.