# Chapter 41: He Did It on Purpose: A Dance of Hidden Intentions
The lights flickered overhead, casting dancing shadows across the bustling banquet hall. Nicole stood alone on the second floor, her fingers gently swirling a glass of wine as she watched the staged pleasantries unfold below. The wealthy elite exchanged empty compliments and forced smiles, each interaction more pretentious than the last.
From across the room, Eric paused mid-step. His gaze lifted instinctively, and for a fleeting moment, their eyes met—her clear, cold stare piercing through the crowd like a blade. Nicole felt a familiar discomfort settle in her chest and turned away, refusing to dwell on what had just happened on the dance floor moments ago.
The memory burned fresh in her mind. That unexpected kiss had sent shockwaves through the entire hall, gasps erupting from every corner. No one cared about who made the wrong move or whose timing was off. They only wanted drama—a spectacle to fuel endless gossip about the ex-couple who couldn't seem to let go of each other.
But Nicole had been quick. The moment their lips nearly touched, she had jerked her head to the side with practiced precision. Luckily, the music had ended just in time, and she had pulled away, offering Eric nothing but a cold, dismissive glance before walking off without a backward glance.
Downstairs, Keith was finishing up his conversation with a group of businessmen. After sending them off with a relieved sigh, he turned to Eric, whose noble demeanor seemed even more untouchable than usual. Keith frowned, his mind replaying the earlier scene.
"You did that on purpose during the dance, right?"
Others might not have noticed, but Keith knew better. Nicole's rhythm had been flawless, her steps perfectly timed. And Eric—who had grown up in the upper echelons of society, trained in every social grace imaginable—could never have made such a clumsy mistake by accident. It didn't add up.
Eric's dark eyes swept over Keith. His face remained taut, unreadable as he replied flatly, "No."
"Good. Don't even think about that woman. I must have lost my mind for even considering it," Keith muttered, shaking his head. "That woman must have done it on purpose. Hmph! She's clearly skilled at scheming!"
Keith trusted his best friend unconditionally, letting the seeds of doubt evaporate in an instant.
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Upstairs, Nicole was growing restless. Grant had wandered off to network elsewhere, leaving her alone with her swirling thoughts. She scanned the room, boredom creeping in, until her eyes caught someone waving at her from the doorway.
Her lips curved into a genuine smile. She waved back.
Ian Carter soon appeared before her, his presence like a breath of fresh air. "Carter, you're late..."
Ian leaned lazily against the railing, looking effortlessly relaxed and unrestrained. "Well, I come whenever I want. If I hadn't heard you were here, I wouldn't have bothered attending such an event."
"Don't even. I know your father forced you to come." Nicole rolled her eyes at him, but the warmth in her voice betrayed her fondness.
Ian wasn't embarrassed at all about being caught. He simply grinned. "My purpose is always you."
Nicole was about to retort when her eyes caught sight of a group approaching. Her expression darkened instantly.
"Nicole, are you shameless? You're already divorced from my brother, yet you still try to seduce him? Do you still want to marry into our family? I'll tell you now—our family will never accept a woman like you!"
*Urgh, what kind of lousy luck do I have tonight? Everyone I hate just keeps popping up.* Ingrid Ferguson had stormed over with her clique, clearly intent on making a scene.
Nicole had been in the spotlight all evening, especially after that near-kiss. Everyone was speculating about the "reunion of the century" between the wealthy ex-couple. *Remarriage? Nicole can dream on!* Ingrid thought venomously.
Ingrid Ferguson was more agitated than anyone else. If not for her status as the Ferguson family's young lady, she would have already started cursing aloud. *How is this shameless lowly woman worthy? That dress should have been mine! This eyesore stole my moment of glory! Stupid Nicole took away all my attention!*
Nicole swept her gaze across Ingrid and the ladies behind her. Aside from Ingrid, the others didn't look particularly hostile—probably just dragged along as backup.
*Ha. How childish.*
"Yo, who's this with the foul mouth?" Ian looked at Ingrid with a cold smile. Whoever dared to bully Nicole in front of him was dead meat, regardless of gender.
Ingrid turned pale, glaring fiercely at Ian. "What does it have to do with you? Are you her lover?"
Ian's eyes lit up with mischief. "Her lover? I like this identity."
Nicole felt a headache coming on from all the noise. She shot Ian a warning glance. "Shut it."
She then turned to Ingrid with an indifferent expression. "Ms. Ferguson, what do you want?"
Ingrid lifted her chin arrogantly. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. I know you kissed my brother on purpose just now. Do you want my brother to fall for you? Dream on!"
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## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
This chapter masterfully weaves tension, intrigue, and layered character dynamics. The dual perspectives—Nicole's composed defiance and Eric's calculated secrecy—create a deliciously complicated narrative. The dance floor incident was brilliantly placed, leaving readers questioning everyone's true intentions. Keith's blind trust in Eric versus Nicole's genuine friendship with Ian adds rich contrast. Ian's entrance brought much-needed lightness, but the chapter's emotional core lies in Nicole's weary resilience and Eric's hidden agenda. The confrontation with Ingrid was cathartic yet infuriating, perfectly setting up future conflict.
**Star Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2 / 5 Stars
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## Next Chapter Prediction
With Ingrid openly challenging Nicole and Eric's intentions still shrouded in mystery, the next chapter will likely explode into either a heated confrontation or a subtle power play. Will Nicole finally reveal her hand, exposing Eric's calculated move at the dance? Or will Ingrid's interference backfire spectacularly, pushing Nicole and Eric into unexpected alignment? Ian's protective presence might also trigger jealousy—from both Eric and Ingrid—leading to a three-way battle of wits. One thing is certain: the masks are about to fall.