The Engagement Dinner

The storm over Edevane worsened by evening.

Black luxury cars lined the entrance of Aurelian Tower while reporters crowded behind security barricades below.

Tonight’s engagement dinner had become more than a celebration.

It was damage control.

And everyone attending knew it.

---

Inside the grand ballroom—

crystal chandeliers glowed above polished marble floors while live music echoed softly through the hall.

Elite families filled the room dressed in silver, black, and gold.

Every conversation eventually returned to the same subject:

Victor Hale.

The cathedral murder.

The silver crescent symbol.

---

Near the entrance stood Vespera.

Elegant black dress.

Silver jewelry.

Perfectly composed beneath the attention surrounding her.

Beside her,

Rhea quietly checked schedules from a digital tablet while scanning the ballroom carefully.

Still working.

Even here.

---

RHEA: rich people really enjoy pretending they’re not terrified.

VESPERA: It’s considered polite.

RHEA: someone literally got murdered yesterday.

VESPERA: and yet the champagne survived.

RHEA: unbelievable.

---

Across the ballroom—

Silas entered beside several board executives.

Almost immediately,

the atmosphere shifted.

Conversations lowered.

People moved aside instinctively.

---

Following behind him was Adrian Aurelian.

Silas’s cousin.

Director of Aurelian Security operations.

Relaxed as always.

Looking far too entertained for a murder investigation.

---

ADRIAN: You look thrilled to be here.

SILAS: I considered setting the ballroom on fire.

ADRIAN: emotionally or literally?

SILAS: undecided.

ADRIAN: good. keeps things interesting.

---

Near the center of the ballroom,

Silas’s attention found Vespera almost immediately.

And strangely—

she seemed calmer than everyone else in the room.

Not emotionless.

Just steady.

Like chaos didn’t affect her the same way it affected other people.

---

Few Moments later… 🌙

Leonard stepped onto the ballroom stage.

Instant silence followed.

---

LEONARD: Thank you all for attending tonight despite recent events.

LEONARD: The Aurelian family values strength during difficult times.

LEONARD: And tonight marks the future partnership between the Aurelian and Ashford families.

---

Soft applause filled the ballroom.

Cameras flashed instantly as Silas and Vespera were guided toward the center stage together.

Beautiful.

Elegant.

Perfect for the public.

Completely artificial in private.

---

As photographers surrounded them,

Silas leaned slightly closer without looking at her.

SILAS: Smile.

VESPERA: I am smiling.

SILAS: You look mildly dangerous.

VESPERA: That’s my pleasant expression.

---

For the first time that night—

Silas laughed softly.

Real this time.

Very brief.

But enough to surprise both of them.

---

Across the ballroom,

Rhea noticed it immediately.

Her expression hardened slightly.

Protective.

Careful.

Then she looked away before anyone noticed.

---

And above the ballroom—

someone watched silently from the shadows of the second floor.

The upper level remained dark compared to the bright ballroom below,

hidden behind black marble pillars and glass railings overlooking the entire hall.

From there,

every guest could be seen clearly.

Every smile.

Every lie.

Every nervous glance exchanged beneath the chandeliers.

The figure never moved forward into the light.

Only stood silently with one hand resting against the railing while the engagement celebration continued below.

Then—

a silver crescent pendant reflected briefly beneath the dim lights.

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