There were some who hadn''t received invitations, but even so, they paid a hefty price just to get in.
Clusters of guests gathered together, marveling at what a remarkable daughter Charles had raised. Not only was she aplished in her own right, but she also made a perfect match for Chairman Montgomery. They reminisced about how the two had been promised to each other since childhood—a love story that seemed written in the stars.
Praise and admiration filled the air, and Mrs. Harvey beamed with delight. Charles, though more reserved, couldn''t quite hide the satisfaction in his eyes.
Giselle caught Lysander''s profile out of the corner of her eye. He maintained an easy, genial smile, exchanging polite words with the asional guest. His arm tightened around hers, and she leaned in a little closer, subtly drawing strength from his presence.
Suddenly, amotion erupted near the entrance.
All eyes turned to see a striking couple step into the ballroom, arm in arm—he, handsome and poised; she, elegant and serene, together making a picture- perfect pair.
But it was the man-Forrest-who drew the most surprise.
He hadn''t been back in the country long, yettely he''d be the talk of Kingsford. Not only did he possess cutting-edge algorithms that had tech circles buzzing, but he''d also just secured an important partnership with the Federal Security Bureau. Even more intriguing, he and Lysander had been butting heads almost constantly-a rivalry that had be the city''s favorite spectacle.
Everyone was curious: What kind of grudge could these two possibly hold, for things to escte this far? If it weren''t for Forrest finalizing that government deal, the tension might have boiled over by now.
Naturally, thisplicated things.
Several guests were itching to get involved with the Federal Security Bureau''s new project-even a small stake in a government contract promised enormous returns, and this was just the beginning. Whoever caught the right wave now stood to gain a great deal.
But with Lysander stirring the pot, no one dared make a bold move. For now, everyone watched from the sidelines, careful not to cross the Montgomery family.
...
As Forrest entered, a few senior executives from major corporations-those whose interests didn''t directly conflict with the Montgomerys-approached to greet him.
M scanned the ballroom, her eyes settling on the liveliest corner where she spotted Giselle, arm in arm with Lysander, who was speaking softly to her, oblivious to M''s presence.
With a cool nce, M gave Forrest a silent nod and started toward Giselle. She had no interest in mingling tonight; she was here for one thing only: to reim the jade locket and leave.
As M made her way across the room, Forrest exchanged a few polite words with the people nearby, then quietly fell in step some distance behind her.
Giselle saw Ming; she smiled, slipped her arm free from Lysander''s, and turned to walk away.
M frowned and quickened her pace, following.
As she passed Lysander, she noticed his hand reaching out, but she instinctively sidestepped and hurried on.
At that very moment, Forrest moved up quickly behind her, brushing shoulders with Lysander, who seemed poised to follow. Neither man yielded; they stood for a brief moment, side by side, facing each other.
Forrest smiled, his sses catching the light and hiding his expression, while Lysander''s lips curled in a smile that never touched his cold, fox-like eyes.
Not a word passed between them. They met each other''s gaze, then moved on.
Yet, for those nearby, it felt as though a chill had swept through the room. For a fleeting second, even the noise seemed to hush.
The guests exchanged knowing looks-there was definitely bad blood between those two.
M didn''t look back.
She strode forward, watching as Giselle slipped into a side hall and began to ascend the spiral staircase to the second floor. M hurried after her.
The side hall was empty.
Giselle moved quickly, her figure already vanishing up the stairs by the time M entered. M was just about to follow when a small child came running down toward her.
It was Adrian.
A frown creased M''s brow.
The boy''s face lit up when he saw her. "Mom, you really came!"
"What do you mean?" M''s heart skipped a beat.
Adrian immediately realized he''d said too much. He pped a hand over his mouth, but under his mother''s rare, stern gaze, he reluctantly exined, “It was Giselle. She told me you were upset about what happenedst time, but she said you two had made up. She promised you''de today, and if I gave you this, you''d be happy and forgive me."
As he spoke, Adrian handed her a small wooden box.
"Made up?" M let out a short, incredulousugh. "I''ve never ''made up'' with her. In fact, I was never close to her to begin with. If I had a choice, I''d rather not even know her."
Trust someone who wanted her dead? The idea wasughable.
Adrian''s face went pale. He hadn''t expected his mother to respond this way. He clutched the wooden box tightly, confusion and anxiety swirling inside him—why, why was it so different from what Giselle had said?
But M had already taken the box from his hands.
She had a good idea of what was inside, but when she opened it and saw the contents, her chest still tightened.
Inside, as expected, was the Fortunate Gold and Jade Locket.
She tried topose herself, but couldn''t help asking the anxious child, "Do you know what this is?"
Adrian looked nk. "A present?"
M almostughed, but the sound wouldn''te. She didn''t know what to say anymore. Well, it didn''t matter—she hadn''t expected much anyway. At least she had the locket back.
She reached in to take it out, wanting to check it over-but froze.
The moment she touched the Fortunate Gold and Jade Locket, it shattered in her hand, falling to pieces inside the box.
The locket was destroyed.
Almost simultaneously, her gold-threaded evening clutch began to vibrate violently: a call from overseas.