Page 44 of The Billionaire’s Betrayal (Billionaires of Paris #2)

TRISTAN

Eva was finally here.

After two endless weeks, she was back.

I had missed her more than I could put into words. My eyes drank her in, mesmerized by her beauty, by the quiet radiance that always seemed to surround her.

A hostess approached with a warm smile, and Eva handed over her coat with a polite nod.

Her hair was pulled into a loose bun, with a few rebellious strands framing her delicate face, enhancing the deep hazel glow of her eyes.

She wore a lace blouse and black leather pants—an outfit almost too simple for an event like this, but I understood her choice.

She wanted the young participants of the Espoir Program to feel comfortable, not intimidated by too much grandeur.

It was these subtle, thoughtful gestures that made Eva who she was.

She never sought the spotlight. If you weren’t paying attention, you could miss the essence of her entirely. How had I ever doubted us?

I wanted to pull her into my arms and never let her go again.

But the distance between us had never felt wider.

Ironically, not long ago, she had asked me to make our relationship official, and I had dodged the question.

And now, when I was finally ready to tell the world how much I loved her, I wasn’t sure she still wanted to hear it.

She had said she’d give me another chance, but there were still shadows between us.

“I’m so glad to see you, Eva,” I said softly.

She smiled at me, hesitant, as if she, too, wasn’t sure how to act around me anymore. A sharp pang shot through my chest. There was so much I wanted to say to her, so much I needed to make right... but before I could, Mr. Mackellen approached, cutting our moment short.

“Mrs. Mercier, Mr. de La Tour,” he greeted us with a warm smile.

“Good evening, Mr. Mackellen. Thank you for being here tonight,” Eva replied graciously.

He then gestured toward the woman at his side. “Allow me to introduce my wife, Beatrice.”

Eva greeted her warmly.

“My husband has told me so much about you,” Beatrice Mackellen said kindly. “What you’re doing for these young people is truly admirable.”

As she spoke, her husband looked at her with unmistakable tenderness. Their bond was evident in every glance, every soft inflection in their voices. Even after decades together, they were still deeply in love.

Around us, more guests arrived. The Mackellens made their way toward the reception hall, giving us time to welcome the newcomers.

Among them were the young people who would be the first to benefit from the Espoir Program.

Their eyes sparkled with hope, excitement, and curiosity.

They spoke in hushed tones, laughing, marveling at the place that would soon become their second home.

Eva greeted them with the warmth that defined her, finding just the right words to make them feel at ease, to reassure them that they belonged here, in this space where two very different worlds were colliding.

I forced myself to step away, letting Eva continue her conversations, and headed toward the reception hall.

Leila, who had stepped in for Eva during her absence, was overseeing the teams with Maud’s help.

They had worked hard with the staff to organize this evening, and I knew they had everything under control.

But I wasn’t here for them—I was watching Audrey.

What I’d seen of her behavior tonight hadn’t sat well with me. Her attitude toward Eva had been openly hostile, unprofessional. I had never imagined she harbored such resentment toward Eva. And to think I had believed her when she claimed she only wanted to help...

I moved through the room, guests parting with polite smiles as I passed.

My gaze swept across the hall until I spotted Audrey near the stage.

I was about to go to her, but a group of sponsors intercepted me, eager for a quick exchange.

By the time I managed to slip away, Audrey was already stepping onto the stage, preparing to give the opening speech.

My blood ran cold. She wouldn’t dare.

Furious, I strode toward the stage, fully intending to stop her and, if necessary, drag her off myself. But then, a gentle hand touched my arm.

I turned and met Eva’s calm gaze.

“Let it go, Tristan,” she murmured. “It doesn’t matter. If you intervene now, this will be the only thing people talk about. And what we’re doing here is far more important than this petty fight.”

I stared at her, struggling to rein in my anger.

I understood what she was saying, but it was infuriating.

Audrey knew exactly what she was doing. She was counting on Eva’s composure, knowing she would never make a scene in public, no matter the provocation.

It was the perfect strategy—to assert herself by stealing a moment that wasn’t hers to take.

Seething, I stood there, powerless, watching Audrey bask in the spotlight. At my side, Eva remained serene, her gaze fixed on Audrey, unwavering.

The difference between the two women had never been clearer.

Audrey craved recognition, instant gratification.

Eva, on the other hand, focused on the real impact of the foundation, on what this project could do for the young people she was determined to help.

That selfless dedication, that quiet strength, was what made her extraordinary.

Audrey was nothing but a facade. A hollow shell. Everything about her was calculated—no depth, no conviction. She manipulated every situation to her advantage, hoping it would somehow fill the emptiness inside her.

And to think, not so long ago, I had been flattered by her attention... How had I ever hesitated between these two women?

Audrey cleared her throat at the microphone, flashing her most dazzling smile at the audience.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we gather here tonight to celebrate the inauguration of the Espoir Foundation, an ambitious initiative driven by conviction and determination. This foundation was born from our company’s commitment to playing an active role in society, particularly in supporting underprivileged youth. ”

She continued in her polished, rehearsed tone, every word meticulously chosen, listing the project’s key points without an ounce of genuine warmth.

It was a well-crafted speech, technically flawless—but utterly soulless.

And the audience’s reaction reflected that.

Distracted glances, whispered conversations. .. she wasn’t holding their attention.

“We want to provide these young people with the tools they need to succeed and integrate fully into economic and social life,” she went on, attempting to inject enthusiasm into her voice. “To achieve this, we rely on strong, strategic partnerships, where every player has a crucial role.”

She paused, scanning the room for any signs of engagement.

Seeing little, she forced a smile and added, “I want to express our deepest gratitude to our partners and donors. Without your support, this project would not have been possible. Your investment is not just financial—it is an investment in the future.”

She stepped away to polite, tepid applause.

Then, Eva took the stage.

Poised, relaxed, she took the microphone, her smile effortlessly genuine. And in an instant, she turned the entire atmosphere around.

“Thank you, Audrey, for that wonderful speech,” she said with a playful lilt. “Dear partners and benefactors, I hope you enjoyed that little moment just for you. And that you got your money’s worth.”

Laughter rippled through the room.

With a single sentence, Eva had swept away the tension and distance created by Audrey’s overly formal speech.

I couldn’t help but admire her. She had effortlessly reclaimed control of the moment with grace and ease, turning the situation to her advantage without a hint of aggression.

Instantly, all eyes were on her, captivated by her natural confidence and authenticity.

I had underestimated her. Tonight, this room wasn’t just filled with financial partners and business leaders. These were people Eva had won over with her passion and commitment—people who, like her, genuinely wanted to change the world. But they weren’t the ones she addressed next.

"Dear young people," she continued gently, turning directly to them. "It is with immense joy and great hope that we inaugurate the Hope Foundation today. This foundation was created for you—to offer you opportunities and guide you on the path to your dreams."

Her voice grew warmer, filled with sincere emotion. "Life can be tough sometimes, and some obstacles may seem insurmountable. But here, we believe in you. We believe in your talent, your potential, and your ability to change the world."

"Every day is a new chance to take one more step toward your dreams. Never let anyone tell you that you’re not capable. You have within you the strength, resilience, and determination to achieve everything you aspire to."

"And you are not alone. We are here, ready to support you every step of the way. Together, we will overcome any challenge. You are the future, and that future starts today!"

A brief silence followed Eva’s speech, as if the audience needed a moment to take it all in.

Then, thunderous applause erupted, quickly followed by cheers from the young people.

Some stood up spontaneously, rushing to the stage to surround her, their joy evident.

They hugged her with sincere gratitude and palpable affection.

Overcome with emotion, Eva discreetly wiped away a tear, trying to maintain her composure.

Her words had resonated deeply with everyone in the room, and I shared the enthusiasm of those who couldn’t stop praising her.

Eva was more than just a role model for these young people—she embodied success born from perseverance.

She had never forgotten the opportunities she had been given, and now she was fighting to pass that chance on to others.

She understood these young people because she had once been in their place, struggling to seize her own opportunity.

When my turn came, I took the microphone to warmly thank the teams and highlight Eva’s unwavering dedication.

After my speech, champagne was popped, marking the start of the evening’s celebrations.

Laughter and heartfelt conversations filled the night, making time fly in this warm and festive atmosphere.

I was deep in conversation with one of our partners, discussing the next steps for the foundation, when my gaze landed on Eva.

She was quietly picking up her bag, ready to slip away unnoticed.

A sudden urgency gripped me. I couldn’t let her leave like this—not without saying what was on my mind.

Excusing myself quickly, I strode toward her.

"Wait, Eva!" I called out.

She stopped in her tracks and turned slowly, her eyes locking onto mine, a mix of surprise and curiosity flickering across her face. For a moment, I faltered, the words I had prepared colliding in my mind.

"Would you have dinner with me tomorrow night?" I finally asked.

She studied me, her expression unreadable, then nodded.

"I’ll send you the time and place," she replied. "Good night, Tristan."

"Good night, Eva," I said as she turned to leave.

But just as she reached the door, an irrepressible impulse made me call out again.

"Eva?"

She turned back, surprise flashing in her eyes, expectation lingering in the air.

"You did an incredible job for these young people tonight," I said, letting my admiration and gratitude shine through. "You didn’t just give them a dream—you made them believe in it."

Her gaze softened, and she smiled—a smile filled with warmth, but also something deeper, something I didn’t dare name. Then, without another word, she disappeared into the night, leaving me standing there, my throat tight, my heart pounding.