Guests mingled and wandered across thewn.


    Although social media was in a frenzy-stories trending, rumors flying-the engagement party itself remained calm, at least on the surface. As M and Forrest made their rounds, raising sses with guests, all they heard were warm congrattions and cheerful wishes.


    Everyone here knew how to y the game.


    No one would choose this moment to stir up trouble.


    Still, plenty of curious eyes followed M and Forrest as they toasted with Conrad. The three of them chatted andughed so easily, you''d almost believe they were on the best of terms-if not for those headlines everyone had just seen.


    When Conrad arrived with his wife to congratte his former daughter-inw, some wondered if all the talk about a family feud had been exaggerated.


    But now, no one doubted anymore.


    With members of the Montgomery family present, M had gone public, using the media to announce her withdrawal from Montgomery Holdings. She hadn''t even fully stepped down yet. It was a clear, decisive break.


    And yet Conrad''s appearance at the party left everyone puzzled.


    After all, many in attendance had been specting-thanks to the persistent rumors—that the Montgomery family just couldn''t stomach M holding the reins. How could an outsider end up with so much power over the family''s legacy? Sure, it was Lysander''s will that had left her in charge, but the man was gone, and wills —even the most irond-rarely oust the living''s ambitions. Who in their right mind would let an outsider control so much wealth and influence? What if she decided to remarry, taking the assets and power out of the family? That was the fear most people had when Lysander''s will was first made public.


    Some hade tonight just to see the Montgomerys'' misfortune.


    No one expected that the once-hidden Mrs. Montgomery-unknown to the outside world for seven years-wouldn''t run off with the money. Instead, she stood on that stage, bearing the weight of the moment, and held Montgomery Holdings together through its most turbulent days.


    She hadn''t betrayed them.


    Those who''d been waiting for a scandal were left disappointed.


    But things had changed. In barely a year, just as M was building her own team and deepening her ties within Montgomery Holdings, everything had quietly, and suddenly, fallen apart.


    Now, no one in the elite circle was surprised.


    This felt more like reality.


    Everyone figured the Montgomery family had finally had enough, and were finding ways to edge M out-splitting her power, removing her from thepany''s core. It was nothing new; it had nothing to do with herpetence. In the end, even the closest alliances could fracture over money and influence.


    But as guests watched Conrad, smiling and chatting amiably with M, a strange realization crept in-maybe it wasn''t the Montgomery family pushing M out. Maybe it was M who was determined to leave the Montgomerys behind.


    She''d made it final.


    Things had gone too far for Conrad not to know what M intended. He had to realize he was walking into a potentially humiliating scene, yet he still showed up to offer his congrattions.


    Clearly, it was M who had let go first.


    Was she crazy?


    That was the thought running through everyone''s mind.


    Montgomery Holdings was a powerhouse. Even just keeping the shares and assets she''d inherited from the will would neverpare to the benefits of staying tied to thepany-especially as a senior executive.


    And yet she was just walking away?


    Who in their right mind would turn their back on that kind of wealth and power?


    But then, there were whispers that M had a close rtionship with Jade, the influential figure overseas. Maybe M was never short on resources or ability. She''d always been formidable in her own right.


    Besides, the guests'' eyes drifted to Forrest, standing quietly and smiling at M''s side. They understood: M''s taste in men was extraordinary.


    Every man she chose was one in a million.


    Even if Forrest couldn''t match the Montgomerys'' prestige, he was aplished, capable, and with a future full of promise. The renowned Mr. Ayers from the aerospace field hade to support him tonight-hardly someone with a weak background.


    For a moment, more than one family considered whether their own


    unmarried daughters could learn thing or two from President Suthend: how to choose, and win over, such outstanding men. But then came the second thought-M herself was no easy person to deal with. Most guests had crossed paths with her in business before; she was formidable, not to be underestimated. Maybe she was a bit kinder, a bit more principled than Lysander, but she was still a force to be reckoned with.


    She looked gentle enough, but beneath that soft exterior was a woman of remarkable ability and steel resolve. Not just anyone could live such a rich, dramatic life as hers.


    Their daughters, they realized, might not be able to pull it off.


    And so those thoughts faded.


    Still, everyone who came tonight walked away with a clear understanding: whether M and the Montgomery family reconciled or went their separate ways,


    she was not someone they could afford to cross.


    Whatever little schemes they''d brought with them were quietly set aside.


    novi


    Most of the guests were seasoned yers in this world; whatever calctions spun behind their smiles, their faces showed only warmth. As M and Forrest passed with their sses, the air was filled with nothing but heartfelt congrattions.