ght, the urban skyline

eacon of luxury, hosted the engage

etween the Lawson and Gibson families was a land

ss magnates and industry leaders, all drawn to

inge, her clutch sparkling with diamonds. By her side was Clayton,

ommanding the eyes of all as t

Gibson Group staff, as eyebrows lifted

on enter the venue. He approached her quickly when Cl

ne, is this appropriate? Showing up with my uncle to

rture from his usual solitary appearances. This development caught Louis off gua

just met at the entrance and thought it would make sen

cial etiquette that barred family members of t

ual reticent self. Something about Clayton seemed different

ith our arranged marriage more times than I can count. I had no other choice. Given your position in your family, it was inevitable that I would choose another daughter of your dad for

away. "After tonight, you'll be nothing more t

oice boomed, his to

ight you're engaged to my sister. A toast, then. May you fi

in one swift motion. The wine, light red and faintly

om the oppressive grip of her family. But time revealed that

been. After tonight, she resolved t

her as she walked toward the dance floor. He started

ious, now wore a softened expressi

Louis respo

d daughter of the Lawson family's head, for a lost

nerstone of a stable life. He tried to ignore Yvon

ton, an event that had caused quite the stir and left Louis red-faced.

bellious act was likely to deepen Louis's displeasure t

fixing Louis's tie as she suggested softly, "We should join your dad to welcome t

ne, giving Malinda's nose a playful flick.

ho was in the thick of the dance floor, her moveme

ghtly fuzzy-she had always had a low tolerance for alcohol. Feeling unwell

ly departure, a mysteriou

intenance" sign at the restroom door before slip