The evening marked the D-day for the alliance between Everett Holdings and Cassius Conglomerate, set to be officially recognised by the world and the business realm.
Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Selina walked beside Zane, her arms interlocked with his. They looked every bit the perfect couple in their designer-matched outfits.
"I wonder what he's planning this time," she muttered inwardly, glancing at him. He looked impossibly calm, unshaken by the storm he was about to unleash.
The lavish ballroom pulsed with laughter, chatter, and the swell of classical music, but none of it calmed her—it only reminded her of the first time she'd stepped into a predator's den: her father abducted, herself nearly handed over like a charity token.
Unpleasant memories surged, but she closed her eyes tightly, forcing them aside.
"You don't have to talk much. Only speak when necessary," Zane murmured, dragging her along.
