Mission Pretty Possible Chapter 15.8 (Patreon)

Ethan hadn’t even reached Maxmillian when it happened.

“Ethan!” Maximillian Graye’s voice—smooth, warm, unmistakable—cut through the crowd like it was parting just for him.

For a second Ethan thought he misheard. Or hallucinated.But no—the man actually smiled at him.

“You did a great job tonight,” Maximillian said.

Great job. His name. From him.

Ethan felt something flick inside his chest—hope, disbelief, maybe a tiny piece of himself stitching back together. He tried to act normal, but his mouth nearly betrayed him with a stupid, breathy laugh.

“You… you know my name?”Why did he ask that? Idiot. He immediately hated himself for it.

Maximillian chuckled, a low amused sound. “Of course I do. Hard to miss someone who owns the stage like that.”His gaze dropped—just for a beat—to Ethan’s neckline, the blue gown, the soft sweep of his shoulders.

“And you look beautiful tonight,” he added casually, like commenting on the weather.

Ethan’s brain short-circuited.

Beautiful. From him. Not handsome. Not charming. Not talented. Beautiful.

His face heated so fast he could feel the blush spreading down his neck. He tried to hide it with a smile that felt too small for how loud his chest was thudding.

For a moment he didn’t feel like the runner-up. Or the boy who lost.

Just… seen. Noticed.By the one man he idolized most.

A little voice whispered—Maybe this wasn’t a total failure.