The Real Heiress Rules the World (Sloane Rivers) novel Chapter 495

**Chapter 495: The Uninvited Dance**

Before Sloane could even gather her thoughts to respond, Lucas stepped forward, an unmistakable intensity radiating from him. His gaze was as cold and piercing as a winter’s night, his voice steady and devoid of warmth. “Apologies,” he declared, cutting through the chatter of the ballroom. “The next dance is mine.”

Victor, taken aback, raised an impeccably groomed eyebrow, his expression dripping with condescension. “And you are?” he retorted, his tone laced with disdain. “It’s customary at a ball to switch partners.” He then turned back to Sloane, his charm oozing as he effortlessly switched languages, “Beautiful lady, I’m still waiting for your answer.”

But Sloane remained silent, her heart racing as the tension escalated.

Just then, as if summoned by the very spirit of mischief, Shawn appeared out of nowhere. His presence was sudden and commanding, as he seized Victor firmly by the collar, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “You want to dance?” he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with playful energy. “Well, I’ll dance with you!”

Before Victor could even muster a protest, Shawn spun him around with astonishing speed, propelling him toward the center of the ballroom. One arm snaked possessively around Victor’s waist, while the other seized his hand, and in a heartbeat, they found themselves locked in an unexpected tango, forced into a rhythm neither had anticipated.

“W-what are you doing?” Victor sputtered, panic creeping into his voice as he struggled to break free from Shawn’s iron grip.

“Dancing, of course!” Shawn exclaimed, flashing a wolfish smile that gleamed under the sparkling chandelier. “Didn’t you say you wanted a dance? I’ll make sure you enjoy it.”

As if on cue, the orchestra, sensing the escalating commotion, seamlessly shifted into an energetic Argentine tango. Shawn took the lead—if one could call the ensuing chaos “leading”—dragging Victor into wild spins and exaggerated dips that left the audience in stitches. Victor’s expensive Italian shoes were trampled beyond recognition, and his meticulously styled blonde hair transformed into a frizzy mess, a testament to the whirlwind of Shawn’s enthusiasm.

“Let me go!” Victor shouted, his voice cracking under the weight of sheer panic.

“Oh, come on,” Shawn laughed, executing a flawless spin before yanking Victor back with a forceful tug. “What’s the rush? At an Oliver family ball, we always dance until we’re satisfied!”

Laughter echoed through the crowd, a ripple of amusement that spread like wildfire. The society ladies who recognized Shawn could barely contain themselves, clutching each other for support as they watched the spectacle unfold.

“Oh my God,” one of them gasped between fits of giggles. “The Oliver family’s little devil is still just as wild as ever!”

Sloane, half-hidden in Lucas’s embrace, was laughing so hard that her shoulders shook with mirth. “He’s merciless…” she managed to say, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Lucas tightened his hold around her waist, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. “Looks like I won’t have to worry about chasing off your admirers anymore. Your cousin’s already handling it for me.”

His long fingers brushed her cheek, tracing a path down to her lips before pausing there, as if savoring the moment. “It’s not a dream,” he replied, his voice low and thick with emotion. “From now on, you’ll never be alone again.”

Tears of joy welled up in her eyes, the weight of his words filling her with a sense of hope. She parted her lips to respond—

But suddenly, the terrace door swung open with a jarring sound.

“Ahem,” Kaizen’s voice sliced through the intimate silence. He stood in the doorway, his expression stiff and businesslike. “Mr. Jeffrey says it’s time to cut the cake. The main guest can’t be missing.”

Lucas let out a resigned sigh, his shoulders slumping in defeat, while Sloane stifled a laugh, unable to contain her amusement. She slipped her hand into his, a playful glint in her eyes. “Come on,” she teased, her voice light and airy. “We can’t keep Grandpa waiting.”

In the aftermath of the chaotic dance, the ballroom erupted into a symphony of laughter and applause, but for Sloane and Lucas, the real magic lay beyond the spectacle. As they stood on the terrace, wrapped in the tranquility of the moonlit night, the earlier commotion faded into a distant memory. Lucas’s gentle kiss and heartfelt promise enveloped Sloane in warmth, igniting a flicker of hope that had long been dormant within her. She felt as if the world had shifted, allowing her to finally breathe freely, unburdened by the expectations and judgments that had once loomed over her. In that moment, their connection deepened, transcending the frivolities of the ball, as they embraced the possibility of a shared future.

Yet, just as the intimacy reached its peak, the abrupt interruption by Kaizen served as a reminder of reality’s persistent presence. The laughter and camaraderie of the evening had woven a tapestry of joy, yet the responsibilities that awaited them loomed larger than life. Sloane’s playful banter with Lucas, as they prepared to join the festivities once more, encapsulated the resilience they both possessed. Together, they would navigate the complexities of their world, armed with a newfound sense of belonging and support. The dance may have ended, but the promise of adventure and connection lingered in the air, a testament to the unexpected joys that life had to offer.