The week leading up to the Ironwood Lunar Gala was a study in controlled tension. Outwardly, Kaelen projected an aura of calm, working seamlessly with Sera to steer Vesper Pharmaceuticals towards stability. Inwardly, she was a coiled spring, every nerve alight with the knowledge that she was willingly walking into a trap set by the story itself.
The gala was not held in a stuffy ballroom or an ostentatious mansion. The invitation led them to a private, high security marina where the city's elite were gathered. The true venue was docked before them, a vessel so vast and luminous it was less a yacht and more a ship. Christened The Argent Moon, it glowed with soft, silver light, a modern marvel ready to ferry its guests across the dark, glittering waters of the harbor.
Kaelen, dressed in a sharp, black suit that was both elegant and tactical, kept a firm but gentle hand on the small of Sera's back. Sera was breathtaking in a flowing, Dark Navy Blue gown that seemed to capture the twilight itself, while Iris, in a matching dress, clung to her hand, her eyes wide with wonder.
"It's a floating castle!" Iris breathed, her voice filled with awe as they stepped aboard. It was the kid's first time riding a vessel of this scale, and her excitement was a pure, joyful light in the midst of Kaelen's suffocating anxiety.
The first part of the gala took place on the ship as it began a slow, stately cruise. The theme, as explained by the soft voiced attendants offering trays of champagne, was to commemorate the parting and meeting of the moon goddess and her mortal husband, Hou Yi. The journey on the water represented their separation, and the main event at the transformed docks would celebrate their reunion. The irony was so thick Kaelen could taste it.
She used Iris's infectious excitement as a shield, a reason to separate herself from the political maneuvering of the party. While Sera politely mingled, Kaelen watched Iris, staying with her at the stern of the ship as she pointed out the constellations appearing in the darkening sky. It was the perfect cover for her real job: scanning the crowd, monitoring her security detail, and keeping a wary, constant eye on the woman she knew was the greatest threat here.
It wasn't long before the threat made her move.
Valeria Ironwood, looking every bit the goddess the gala was meant to honor in a shimmering silver gown, approached Sera near the railing.
"Seraphina," Valeria's voice was smooth, cutting through the murmur of the party. "I'm so glad you could make it." She offered Sera a glass of champagne, her smile warm and genuine. "You look happy. It's a good look for you."
Sera accepted the glass, her own smile polite but guarded. "Thank you for the invitation, Valeria. The ship is magnificent."
"A family tradition," Valeria said, her gaze drifting for a moment to where Kaelen and Iris stood. "Family is everything, isn't it? It's why we build legacies." She turned back to Sera, her expression growing more serious, her voice lowering. "Speaking of which, that was a bold move, accepting Lilith Blackwood's investment. I must admit, I was surprised to see her break from her father."
The question was a skillfully deployed probe, a demonstration of her intelligence and reach.
Sera didn't flinch. "Lilith is a pragmatic businesswoman. She recognizes a sound investment when she sees one. We're grateful for her confidence."
"Confidence is essential," Valeria agreed, taking a slow sip of her champagne. "But so is stability. The Blackwood name… it carries a certain volatility, wouldn't you agree? All that history." She paused, letting the implication hang in the air between them. "My ten percent stake in your company isn't just an investment, Seraphina. It's a promise. A promise of a partnership built on ethics and strength, not on secrets and blood feuds. Ironwood builds fortresses, not cages."
She met Sera's eyes, her gaze direct and full of a compelling sincerity. "Should you ever find yourself in need of a partner who doesn't come with such… dangerous baggage, you know where to find me."
From across the deck, Kaelen watched the exchange, her jaw tight. She couldn't hear the words, but she could see the intent in Valeria's posture, the thoughtful, unreadable expression on Sera's face. She was watching the original plot play out in real time, a quiet, sophisticated temptation designed to poison the well of their new life.
Iris tugged on her hand. "Auntie Kae, look! The buildings are like tiny stars!"
Kaelen looked down at the child's upturned, happy face, then back at the two women across the deck. She had to trust. She had to believe that the bond they had forged was stronger than the ghosts of a story that was no longer written.
Sera finally gave Valeria a cool, polite nod and made her way back to Kaelen's side, her hand immediately finding Kaelen's and lacing their fingers together. It was a small, silent gesture of reassurance, but it was everything. As they stood together, enjoying the view while enjoying some champagne, the massive, lantern lit docks of the main venue came into view, a beacon of light in the darkness. The ship was arriving. The first test was over.