Ash's POV ;
When Elijah and I arrived at Ryder's new theatre for the inauguration party, I was struck by the opulence. The entrance had grand columns draped in gold and silver fabric, with a long red carpet leading inside. I was glad there were no reporters, which allowed me to stay close to Elijah without the pressure of flashing cameras.
The inside was no less extravagant. An enormous chandelier hung above a circular staircase lined with marble. The floor was covered in a lush carpet, and the walls were decorated with ornate tapestries.
I spotted a few celebrities and familiar faces in the crowd, but none of them were as eye-catching as the man next to me.
He was dressed in a sleek black suit, his hair slicked back. His presence commanded attention, and the people around him instinctively gave him space.
Even in a room full of the rich and famous, he stood out efficiently.
