?Chapter 1054:


    Was this a trap? Had Lance already figured something out? Was this his way of seeing how she’d act around Ste?


    To her, that banquet didn’t feel like a party—it felt like walking straight into a lion’s den.


    But she had no good excuse to back out.


    Saturday night arrived, and the Art Center’s banquet hall glowed with warm, elegant light.


    Nina showed up in a stunning custom-made gown, but every nce that came her way felt like it wasced with judgment—like people knew more than they let on.


    And then she saw her. Ste. She was walking in with Lance and Sharon, chatting easily.


    Her gown was a simple, elegant deep blue, but she somehow outshone everyone in the room. Graceful, poised, effortless—she didn’t even have to try.


    The moment Nina spotted her, her first instinct was to turn around and bolt.


    But before she could do anything, Lance turned to her and spoke, calm and clear. “Ste, Nina crossed a line before. She’s here tonight to apologize to you in person.”


    Nina blinked in shock.


    What? That wasn’t the n.


    He said they could have a proper conversation—he never said anything about an apology.


    She looked at Lance, but he just met her eyes with a steady gaze, giving her a subtle signal.


    With no way out, Nina forced a smile and turned to Ste. “Ste, I… I was out of line. I acted impulsively. I hope you can forgive me.”


    Ste nced at her, unreadable. She could tell Nina didn’t mean it, but in a room full of eyes and ears, there was no point dragging it out. “It’s not something I’ve been losing sleep over,” she said lightly.


    Ste’s calm detachment unnerved Nina.


    L?t?st chαpt?rs in g??lnovels.??????


    Nina would have preferred if Ste were at least a little passive-aggressive toward her instead of treating her like she wasn’t even worth a nce.


    After Nina apologized, Lance started a light conversation about the art exhibition pieces, his tone casual and rxed.


    Standing beside them, Nina’s heart thudded in her chest, her palms slick with sweat.


    The air around her felt heavy, almost suffocating, as if she couldn’t take in enough air.


    Her voice trembled as she tried to escape the moment. “I… need to go to the restroom.”


    Just as she turned, a waiter carrying drinks appeared in front of her, and distracted as she was, she didn’t notice him until they collided.


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