The room beat with a charged energy as Grayson's smile lingered, his gaze fixed on Scarlett and Nathan. A faint hum of tension ran through the gathered guests as whispers rippled across the hall. The grand doors, now sealed, loomed like barriers to freedom. Scarlett's pulse quickened, but her expression remained neutral, carefully concealing the storm raging within her.
Nathan shifted slightly, his body instinctively positioning to shield Scarlett from any immediate threat.
"What's the meaning of this, Victor?" Nathan's voice was sharp, laced with a frustration that cut through the chatter.
Grayson chuckled, a low, evil sound.
"Come now, Nathan. You didn't think I'd let you walk out of here before the grand reveal, did you?"
........
Across the room, Alex become rigid. His usual confident demeanor faltered for the briefest moment, though he quickly concealed it with a smirk. He walked toward the center of the hall, drawing all eyes to him.
