bChapter /bb242 /b

    OLIVIA’S POV

    C

    成含b74/b%線:

    I shook the businessmen’s and women’s hands one by one, my smile wide, the kind of smile that didn’t just show teeth but conveyed warmth, confidence, and power. I’d perfected that smile over the years, it was my armor and my most useful weapon. I weed each guest as if they were the most important person in the room, because in a way, they were. Every handshake, every nod, every polite exchange mattered tonight.

    This was no ordinary gathering. This ceremony was something I had been nning for weeks–no, months if I was being honest. I had rehearsed every detail in my mind countless times. My father and I had been working side by side to make it wless, and now the moment had finally arrived. Once tonight was over, there would be no more reason for us to remain in New York. Our mission here would beplete, and we could finally return to

    Mexico.

    A few days ago, I wasn’t even sure if I was ready for this. Everything seemed to be moving too quickly, faster than I could fully process, even though I was the one driving the preparations. There were moments when I would wake in the middle of the night, my mind racing with thoughts about the seating arrangement, the food, the speeches, the music. But it wasn’t just the ceremony details keeping me awake, it was the lingering thought of someone who had been silent for days.

    My uncle.

    I hadn’t heard a word from himtely, and that in itself was unusual. Could it be possible that he might try to show up at the ceremony today? The thought had crossed my mind more than once, especiallyst night when I was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to map out every possible disruption.

    Just in case, I made sure to take precautions. I had a very clear conversation with the doorman this morning. “If my uncle shows up,” I told him, “do not let him in, no matter what story he tells you.” The man nodded, clearly understanding that this wasn’t just a casual request. This was a warning. My uncle and I had not sp?ken in weeks, not properly anyway, but the messages he had been sending me recently… Those were another story. Insults, usations, and veiled threats wrapped in sarcasm. If he came here tonight, I knew exactly what his goal would be, to cause a scene, to embarrass me in front of my guests, to take the spotlight for himself.

    I wasn’t about to give him that satisfaction.

    We would have that confrontation one day, but not ihere/i, not now. When I returned to Mexico, we’d settle everything, face to face. Until then, he was going to remain on the outside looking in.

    Tonight wasn’t about him. Tonight was about mypany, my father, and the future we were building.

    Security was tight, tighter than it had ever been before. Not just because of the guest list, but because of Charlie. Ever since the trouble that had followed us in recent months, I’d been extra careful with him. The building was guarded at every entrance, cameras monitored the halls, and trusted staff were stationed in key areas.

    Charlie was in the back right now, safe in my private office. I had brought him to thepany with me earlier, but there was no way I could have him out here in the main hall. As much as I adored him, he was still just ba /bchild, and the only one here tonight. Children and formal ceremonies rarely mixed well. One burst of energy or one loud outburst at the wrong moment could turn into ba /bdisaster.

    So, I had made sure he was asfortable as possible in the back. His PS5 console was set up for him, and the room was stocked with enough snacks tost him for days if needed. Chips, cookies, juice boxes, anything to keep him content. I had even tested the Wi–Fi connection myself to make sure his games would run smoothly.

    I’d told him clearly before leaving the room, “If you need anything, call me. I don’t care if I’m in the middle of talking to the most important person here, I’ll answer.” He smiled at that, his small hands already gripping the game controller, his eyes lighting up at the thought of uninterrupted gaming time.

    Now, as I moved from group to group in the grand hall, my attention split between maintaining the perfect host’s demeanor and staying alert for my phone in case Charlie needed me. iMy /idress, a deep emerald green flowed around me as I walked, catching the light from the chandeliers. The air buzzed with polite conversation, clinking sses, and the asional burst ofughter. Everything seemed to be going exactly as nned.

    And then I spotted him.

    “Mr. Cheng,” I greeted warmly as I stepped forwardb, /bmy hand extended. “I’m bd /byou could make bit/bb./bb” /b

    14:20 Sat, b23 /bAug bO /b

    2.73b% /b

    He took my hand in a light, deliberate shake, his grip firm but not overpowering. His sharp eyes scanned the room before returning to mine. “This branch is amazing,” he said, his Chinese ent wrapping around the words like silk. “I have to say, you did an excellent job. And I know you’re going to continue doing a good job.”

    “Thank you very much,” I said, my smile still bright, the kind of smile you give when you’re still in public and you can’t let anything else show on your face.

    The polite exchange should have ended there, but then something shifted in the air, an odd, almost electric ripple that seemed to brush right past me. It wasn’t just a feeling, it was a presence. And not just any presence–a familiar one. One I hadn’t felt in a very long time.

    It was strange how certain energies stayed imprinted in your memory, like a scent you couldn’t forget no matter how much time passed. My chest tightened instinctively. Without thinking, I froze mid–step, my eyes narrowing as I quickly turned my head.

    But I was toote.

    All I caught was the back of a tall figure disappearing into the back room. A long trench coat draped over their shoulders, hiding everything else no int of their face, no glimpse of hair, nothing that could give them away. But deep down, I knew. That unmistakable aura… I recognized it from somet The problem was, my mind couldn’ttch onto a name. It was like grasping at smoke.

    ra, who had been quietly standing beside me, noticed my sudden stillness. Her brows furrowed slightly.

    “Did you see who just passed me?” I asked her in a low, urgent tone.

    She tilted her head, leaning back a little to nce over my shoulder. Her eyes scanned the space behind me, but by now, the hallway was empty–no

    trace of anyone.

    “No, ma’am, I didn’t,” she said after a moment. “Is there someone you’re looking for?”

    I hesitated. Yeah… I’m looking for the person who just walked past me. The one I’m not supposed to forget. But if I didn’t know who they were exactly, what was I supposed to do? Go storming into the back room after a ghost?

    My lips pressed together before I finally exhaled a small sigh. “No, it’s okay.”

    ra gave me a quick nod, still looking faintly puzzled, but she didn’t press. I nced at my phone, checking the time. Right on schedule–it was time for me to make the announcement. No matter what that strange moment was, I had to push it aside. The guests were here. The ceremony had to go on.

    “Excuse me, Mr. Cheng,” I said politely to the older gentleman I had been speaking with, dipping my head slightly before stepping away.

    My heels clicked softly against the floor as I made my way toward the stairs leading to the stage. The murmur of the crowd filled the hall, voices blending together in a warm but expectant hum. I could feel the weight of every pair of eyes that would soon be on me.

    Once I stepped up onto the stage, the overhead lights brightened, casting a soft glow over the podium. I approached the microphone and tapped it a few times, the faint thump–thump echoing through the speakers.

    “Hello, everyone,” I began, my voice steady but carrying enough warmth tomand attention.

    The chatter died down almost immediately. Heads turned. Conversations paused. The audience’s faces lifted toward me in expectation.

    “I want to personally thank you all for making the time toe to the ceremony,” I continued. “I truly appreciate your support. This event wouldn’t be what it is without all of you. And secondly…”

    I stopped.

    It wasn’t a dramatic pause for effect. bIt /bwas because the sound iof /ithe sliding doors bat /bthe entrance reached my earsb, /ba bdistinct/b, mechanical bwhisper /bfollowed by a soft click as they closed again.

    My eyes instinctively drifted toward the source of the sound.

    Strange. I thought every guest had already arrived. We’d been running bfor /bover an hour nowb, /bwho bwould /bbbe /bbshowing /bbup /bbthis /bbte/bb? /bbMaybe /bbit /bbwas /bbjust /b

    b2/3 /b

    14:20 Sat, 23 Aug

    another attendee

    deciding

    to make an entrance

    Own at their pace.

    But then i saw her.

    She walked in

    slowly, her postureposed, almost

    the

    My air around me seemed to grow heavier.

    floodgates.

    upied regal, like she knew the

    time mind didn’t need to search memory this

    space she

    my

    the was hers for

    taking. And with each alone was enough to

    hip time, her face

    Memories flooded in, sharp and uninvited.

    Every betrayal. Every word she had used

    that had left calcted move Every was like a de.

    scars I still carry to this day.

    Isadora.

    my knuckles whitened. My chest rose and fell faster My grip on the microphone tightened until

    mind. my wanted to crack under the weight of her name in them hear the

    way my voice

    than before, but I couldn’t let the guests see

    ヤ

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