A Surprising Twist of Fates (Sierra and Theo)

Chater 1 Inside the private room at the hotel, beneath the glittering glow of a towering ten-tier champagne pyramid, Benson Gray stood with his newly hired assistant, Sophie Scott.

The two of them were cutting a birthday cake together, their fingers interlocked.

When Sierra Shaw entered the room, Benson didn't flinch or even look guilty. Instead, he spoke as casually as if they were discussing the weather.

"Sophie has the same birthday as you. She's here all alone, far from home, with no friends. So, I decided to move your birthday party to hers for now. I'll make it up to you in a couple of days."

Sierra's smile faltered, freezing in place as her grip on her purse slowly tightened.

Today was her 25th birthday. Benson had promised he would propose to her on this special day.

She'd worn the elegant white dress he had gifted her, spent hours perfecting her hair and makeup, and arrived at the hotel excitedly.

But the sight before her felt like a bucket of ice-cold water cascading over her head.

The engagement ring she had dreamed of—the three-carat pink diamond she had spent years imagining on her finger—was now sparkling brightly on Sophie's hand as Benson held her hand.

A sting of pain blurred her vision. Still, she forced her feet to move. Approaching Benson, she took a deep breath and pointed directly at Sophie's hand. "What about that ring?"

with infuriating nonchalance. "It all happened so suddenly, I didn't have time

that was her ring, the one she had spent three years choosing meticulously, imagining

heart shattering. Her eyes reddened as her voice broke. "And me, Benson? What about me? What

"Why are you acting so childish? Haven't I celebrated enough of your birthdays over the years? Can't you let Sophie have this one

to back down? Benson had sabotaged the deal she was about to close to boost Sophie's standing in the company. He had stood idly by as Sophie spilled coffee on her, dismissing it as Sierra being

to clean up the mess, hiding behind the excuse of, "those who are

everyone else always matter more than she did? Tears blurred Sierra's vision. She clenched her fists, desperate to preserve the last shred of dignity she

of disapproval rippled

too far

about this proposal, but

placed one

I shouldn't have come and upset Ms. Shaw. I'll apologize to her later, okay?" Benson gave Sophie's shoulder a reassuring pat, his

worried Sierra might get mad and

of smoke, a mocking laugh escaping his lips

on herself. How could she possibly say no? If

him erupted into