Lysander saw her suddenly fall, a sh of panic crossing his eyes. Instinctively, he reached out to help, but Giselle''s sharp cry rang in his ears, causing him to sway. Immediately, he withdrew his hand to steady Giselle, who had nearly tripped over


    her gown.


    M''s outstretched hand froze in mid-air as she helplessly tumbled toward the staircase.


    She stared intently at the scene before her: Lysander and Giselle huddled together on the stairs. Mmitted this moment to memory, biting her lip to brace for the impending pain. But just as she anticipated hitting the ground, a strong arm encircled her waist, lifting her up.


    "Watch out."


    A gentle, resonant voice whispered in her ear, the broad chest behind her radiating warmth.


    Instead of crashing down in a bloody heap, M exhaled in relief, only now realizing her palms and back were mmy with cold sweat.


    "Thank you."


    Once she caught her breath, M turned to thank her rescuer, only to be momentarily stunned-it was Rnd.


    Rnd, dressed in an elegant deep purple suit, wore his usual warm smile. Once he saw she was steady, he let go and stepped back politely.


    "Rnd?!"


    Ryan finally snapped out of his daze, eximing in shock.


    Rnd cast a brief nce at his brother, saying nothing, but his gaze shifted to Lysander, whose expression was less than pleased.


    "It''s been a while. How''s your mother doingtely?"


    The Montgomery and Lockwood families had been close for generations, and with Lysander''s mother and the Lockwood brothers'' mother being longtime friends, it was customary to inquire after her well-being.


    "She''s doing well enough."


    Lysander replied with a perfunctory nod, though his eyes were fixed on M.


    Meeting his gaze, M smiled—a smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes-before turning away, disinterested.


    Rnd noticed the tension between them, raising an eyebrow but choosing to stay silent.


    After exchanging a few polite remarks with Lysander, he prepared to leave. Giselle, now steadied by Lysander, stopped Rnd apologetically, "Rnd, I''m so sorry for causing such a scene at your family gathering. I didn''t mean to—"


    Before she could finish, Rnd interrupted with a gentle smile that belied his words, "You should indeed feel sorry."


    Giselle''s smile faltered.


    Unable to hold back, M let out a chuckle, discovering for the first time that this Lockwood family elder was quite amusing.


    Herughter drew disapproval from the room.


    Ryan red at her;


    Giselle cast a reproachful nce, sending a shiver down M''s spine;


    Lysander''s gaze was intense, almost pulling her into its depths.


    Rnd remained uninterested in the tangled emotions of those around him; he simply didn''t want his family gathering to descend into chaos. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have intervened.


    "Ryan,e here," he instructed, then added to M, "Ms. Suthend, if you would join us. I consider you a valued guest, and I won''t have it said that the Lockwoods are poor hosts."


    He was referring to Ryan''s earlier shove, and M nodded, following them.


    Lysander intended to follow as well, but Giselle clung to him, feigning pain, "Lysander, I think I twisted my ankle. Could you help me to the hall?"


    He nced at M''s retreating figure but ultimately chose to assist Giselle into the venue first.