arp against my skin. I instinctively tugged at my dress, a simple black number, though I wasn't sure it was enough to mask how out of place I felt. Lorenzo was already standing by the entra

id, his tone as cool

ping my voice steady despite th

lity," he remarked, offering

t the proximity. Together, we entered through the revolving doors, and I could immediately feel the weight of the opulence around me. The ballroom was bustling with activity, a glittering sea of de

whisper in my ear as we moved through the

anxiety, but I kept my mouth

he crowd, the feeling of being accessed making the back of my neck prickle with discomfort. Lorenzo, however, didn't flinch. He moved with

hts, and a predatory smile curving his lips. "Lorenzo. A pleasur

the man with a cold efficiency that made it clear t

uating my worth in an instant. His hand shot out, and I had no choice but to take it, forcing a polit

to keep my tone steady, though t

releasing my hand. "Lorenzo, we must talk bus

ingering in the air long after he was gone. I glanced at Lorenzo, who was already

t sharp. "Stay neutral. Observant.

ed, "I n

a faint smirk on hi

, doing my best to look composed, though my mind was racing, trying to process the names and faces, the subtle power pl

o a smile that was almost predatory. "Lorenzo, darling," she purred,

ne clipped, almost dismissive as he gest

e didn't falter, but there was something in her eyes, something sharp that made me instin

ing my voice even, thoug

dening ever so slightly. "We'll catch up later,"

plied, his voice final

anced at Lorenzo, my curiosi

the next target. "Come," he said, his tone shifting, now m

or one of practiced charm, but his eyes sharp with calculation. Lorenzo's tone shift

d with a hearty laugh, his gaze turning tow

his hand resting lightly on my back

etween us. "Ah, you've finally found

nreadable, though there was an almost imperceptibl

, words like "investments" and "alliances" floating past me as I focused on remaining composed. Edward's tone was genial, but there was an underlying edge to it, a subtle sense

ral, even as my mind raced to keep up with the conversations. Some people were more open than others, but none of the exchanges felt particularly friendly.

allowed myself to relax. I let out a slow breath, my shoulde

zo said, his voice so

asm, but his face was unreadable. "Did I pass the test?

hard to read. Then, almost imperceptibly, his li

in his gaze. It wasn't much, just a flicker...but it was enough to make me wonde

s movements confident as always. "

down this was just the beginning. There was still so much I didn't understand, so much I