Chapter 22
In Ehloria, the Marrow Lamily’s influence was second only to the Momus, and their close alliance made tonight’s gala a magnet for nearly every bigwig in the city
For Moira, it was like stepping into a page from one of those glossy barn ial magazines–those faces she’d only seen in
Trailing behind Baldwin, she quickly realized he had zens chr where he was going. He drifted through the crowd like a lost tourist, stopping every few steps to glance around, looking more like he was killing tinie tlum making moves,
rory. Everyone wanted to cozy
At events like this, it wasn’t just about showing up—it was a game of connections, where networking was the real rurteni up to the heavy hitters, angling for a chance to climb the social ladder,
If you were in their league or higher, they’d flock to you,
in you, rager in gel foot in the door. But if you were a few rungs downt Forget about it. They wouldn’t so much as glaner your way.
Baldwin wasn’t a rookie at this game, thought, Instead of diving into conversations, he lug back, staying just on the edge of the action. With a wine glass in hand mad an easy air about him, he played the role of the patient observer, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
The ballroom buzzed with opulence. Women in designer gowns Boated gracefully between grongs of men clad in sharp, custom–tarred suits. The low murmur of conversation mixed with the solt clink of clampagor glasses, all beneath the sparkle of ground chandeliers:
But for Moira, the glamour felt suffocating. She wished the night would fast forward. The thought of enduring three more hours of nothing short of torture
Suddenly, Baldwin picked up the pace, tugging her along with him. Maara barely had a second to process what was happening before she heard hùn call out, his voice full of enthusiasm, “Mustin! You made it”
Her stomach dropped, just hearing, that name sent a dull turn to her temples. Reluctarily, she looked up, and there he was— -Austin–standing je assally alongside Charlie and Wendy Jory, Cladie’s girlfriend
She knew he’d be here. Of course, someone like Austin wouldn’t miss an event like this. Hot expecting it didn’t make the reality of seeing on any less annoying. If anything, it made it worse,
Moira instinctively tried to pull her hand free, desperate to slip away and find some quiet corner to ride out the rest of this miserable evening. Bai her plan was cut short when Wendy spotted her.
“Well, well, Moira. You’re here too?” Wendy’s tone dripped with fatax subprise, every word laced with thinly veiled mockery.
Her voice was like a beacon, drawing Austin and Chadie’s attention himmediately. Austin’s cold, sharp guze locked ruto her, while Charlie’s held that sanse smug, taunting glimt she knew all too well.
Every instinct in Moira screamed, “Turn around, walk away, don’t engage: Hai then Baldwin glanced at her, his expression practically begging.. “Moira,” he murmured, his voice low and a little frantie, “Just for a minute, can we go talk to them?”
The desperation in his tone made her hesitate.
Baldwin was the one who’d given her a lifeline when no one che lad, offering her a job and a purpose to channel her energy into. Without him, she’d luve been adrift. At least now, she had something to work toward.
Baldwin had built has success from the ground up–a self–nude entrepreneur who earned respect wherever he went. But in this room full of Eldoria’s high society, he wasn’t exactly rubbing elbows with the inner circle. Austin was the only one here he actually knew.
Moira exhaled slowly, an inward sigh of resignation. ‘Suck it up, Moira. If Dusk Furnishing takes off, you’ll benefit too!
Barying her distaste, she forced herself to god. “Tine,” she said, her tone resigned but steady. “let’s gu
Moira looped her arm through Hakhiri’s and let Tüm lead her toward the trio. She could feel Austin’s eyes on her, slurp and unrelenting, tracking her every move. The closer they got, the darker his expression liesame, like a storm cloud ready to burst.
Wendy, latched onto Charlie’s arm like a designer accessory, flashed a smile that was all teeth and no warmth. “Wow, I didn’t know you and Baldwin
were a thing now?”
Oner up a time, Moira and Wendy had shared a dorm room in college, but “roommates” was about as far as their relationship went, Wensly lush always held a grudge against Moira because of Charlie.
Moira didn’t bother responding, letting the silence hang. Baldwin, ever ile idiplomat, broke it with an easy laugh. “Oh, no, Moira works for use. She’s just helping me out tonight”
That seemed to douse the bre in Austin’s glare, his tense features relaxing just a fraction.
Chapter 22
Baldwin, quick to notice, shot him a subtle, knowing glance before adding with casual ease. “And for the record, Moira does have a boyfriend”
The words hit like a thunderclap Austin’s face turned to stone, his expression glacial. Even Charlie’s smark faded, replaced by a cold, appraising look as he locked eyes with Moira
Wendy, ever the instigator, glanced briefly at Charlie before her lips curled into a sly smirk. “Oh? So, what does your boyfriend do, Mora?” “Why would I tell your Moira replied, her tone as sharp as a blade. She wasn’t about to waste time pretending.
too familiar–she wasn’t asking out of interest. No, she just wanted ammunition, another way to puff herself up and put
Wendy’s game was
He was all too Moira down.
“Come on. Moira, we went to the same school,” Charlie said with a sneer, his eyes narrowing in disdain. “Do you really have to make it so awkward?”
Moira’s lips curved into a faint, detached smirk. “We’re not exactly close she said coolly, her tone as sharp and indifferent as the chill between
them.
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