Evadne rubbed her aching temples, a bitter smile touching her lips.


    "Jason, you''re quite the smooth talker. I bet you say plenty of sweet things to keep your wife happy at home."


    “Of course. I''ve got Nydia smiling like a fool all day. From pregnancy through childbirth, the doctor said her physical and emotional health were perfect—not a hint of postpartum depression!" Jason''s face was filled with doting pride.


    Whether as a father or a husband, he always strove to be perfect.


    Evadne smiled warmly. "That''s wonderful. You''re a blessing to each other. You must hold onto Nydia''s hand tightly and never let go."


    "Don''t worry, Ms. Evadne. I swear on my life, I, Jason, will love only Nydia for the rest of my days, until death do us part."


    Jason looked at her earnestly, his voice trembling slightly. "And you and Mr. Thaddeus will make up, too. A love as epic as yours couldn''t possibly just end like this. I''d die before I believed that."


    Evadne forced a smile, but it was tinged with sorrow. "It''s because our love was once so intense, because we were willing to sacrifice our lives for each other, that we practically burned ourselves out. That''s probably why he feels so exhausted being with me, why he feels he can never go back to how things were."


    Jason''s throat tightened. "Ms. Evadne..."


    Evadne slowly stood up, her exhaustion evident. "It''s almost time. I should get ready for the banquet."


    ...


    In the most magnificent ballroom of the Abernathy Hotel, the banquet began as scheduled.


    The hall was a morous affair, filled with elegant guests clinking sses and conversing.


    Chad was chatting amiably with Sean, who leaned in and asked with a lowugh, "Mr. Frederic, why don''t I see your beautifulpanion by your side tonight?" Chad''s eyes narrowed. "You mean President Ashbourne."


    "Who else could I mean? Anyone can see that President Ashbourne is the apple of your eye!"


    At this, Chad''s smile deepened, but his eyes held a hint of pressure.


    "Sean, since you know that President Ashbourne and I have special rtionship; I trust you''ll look out for her in the future. It''s aplex and reacherous world for a young


    woman in business. I worry she''ll be taken advantage of."


    Sean nodded eagerly. “You don''t even have to ask, Mr. Frederic. If I couldn''t figure


    that much out on my own, I wouldn''t be worthy of partnering with you!"


    Their posture made it clear that Chad was the one in power.


    The formidable and high-ranking mayor seemed almost like a courtier in his presence.


    Suddenly, Chad''s gaze froze, and his heart skipped a beat.


    Evadne had made her entrance. Dressed in a pale blue velvet, off-the-shoulder evening gown, she walked in with graceful poise. Her waist was slender, her bearing bright and dignified. As she moved the


    blue fem of her dress seemed to


    float like a light mist, elegant and


    fluid.


    A collective sigh went through the crowd: she was a vision of elegance and grace,


    an ethereal beauty descended to earth.


    Evadne stood alone in the center of the ballroom, looking around with a slightly lost expression.


    "President Ashbourne."


    She turned toward the voice and saw the impably dressed Chad striding towards her, his eyes fixed


    on her alone. Her heart the


    tightened. Her expression was devoid of any pleasure it was cofa, emotionless.


    But as Chad reached her, she summoned all her strength to squeeze out a smile.


    It was the fakest smile imaginable, so fake it made her sick.


    "Mr. Frederic."


    “You look beautiful tonight,” Chad said, his own smile gentle, not hesitating to praise her.


    Evadne smiled faintly. "Thank you."


    As they looked at each other, neither of them noticed.


    Just outside the open doors, Thaddeus stood, dressed in a ck suit. His dark,


    intense eyes were locked on Evadne.