Veronica and Dario stepped into the grand banquet hall, already buzzing with the city's elite. As they made their entrance, a hush fell over the nearby guests, their eyes drawn to Veronica's ethereal beauty and the elegant way she carried herself in her ivory gown.
Rafael Hoyt, the evening's host and a long-time business acquaintance of Dario, spotted them immediately. His face brightened as he began weaving through the crowd toward them. Just as he was about to reach the pair, the main doors swung open once more, bringing the ambient chatter to an abrupt halt.
Rafael's welcoming smile froze, his eyes widening with surprise. Following his gaze, other guests began to whisper excitedly, their attention completely diverted from Veronica and Dario.
Still facing away from the entrance, Veronica noticed the shift in energy throughout the room. She caught fragments of excited whispers and saw Rafael's expression transform from pleasant greeting to something akin to reverence. With an apologetic glance toward them, he quickly changed direction and hastened toward the newcomers.
"Good evening, Mr. Dennis, Mr. Valerie, and Mr. Dante," Rafael's voice rang out with unmistakable deference.
The names hit Veronica like a physical blow. A chill ran down her spine as she slowly turned, already knowing what she would see. Her composed smile wavered for just a fraction of a second—enough for Dario to notice, but invisible to everyone else.
There they stood: Cullen, Marco, and Nate—the three men whose combined influence could shake the foundations of the business world. But it was the fourth person who truly seized everyone's attention.
Niall had arrived on Cullen's arm, resplendent in a gown that Veronica recognized instantly—the very same one she had admired yesterday at the boutique. The exquisite creation, with its strategic embellishments and perfect silhouette, transformed Niall into something beyond mere beauty. On her, the dress wasn't just clothing; it was a statement of power and possession.
"Is that really them? Dennis, Valerie, and Dante never show up at these things," a man nearby muttered to his companion.
"I know," his friend replied, not bothering to lower his voice. "And who's that goddess with Dennis? I'd give a decade of my life for one night with a woman like that!"
Another group nearby was engaged in their own assessment. "Personally, I prefer the one in ivory," a woman whispered, nodding subtly toward Veronica. "There's something about her—a quiet dignity. It's a more lasting kind of beauty than Dennis's date, if you ask me. Too bad she's already taken."
Veronica pretended not to hear, but couldn't tune out the conversation happening just behind her.
"That gown is the one I saw yesterday at Elysium Couture! The manager mentioned it was a custom piece commissioned weeks ago. Thirty million dollars—can you imagine? I guess now we know who the big spender was."
"Thirty million?" gasped her companion. "For a dress?"
The figure struck Veronica like a slap. Thirty million dollars. When she had seen the gown on display, she'd been captivated by its beauty but had never imagined its astronomical price tag. Now, seeing it draped perfectly over Niall's figure, reality crashed down on her.
This wasn't a last-minute purchase. Cullen had commissioned this piece specifically for Niall weeks ago, planning to bring her to this event all along. While the Crystal family business was successful, such an extravagant purchase would be unthinkable for them. For Cullen Dennis, however, it was merely pocket change—a casual gift for the woman on his arm.
Dario noticed the subtle shift in Veronica's demeanor and placed his hand gently on the small of her back. He leaned in, his voice low with concern. "Ver..."
Veronica recovered quickly, offering him a serene smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm fine," she assured him, though they both knew it wasn't entirely true.
She squared her shoulders slightly, preparing herself for the inevitable moment when their paths would cross. The night had barely begun, and already it was testing her in ways she hadn't anticipated. But Veronica was nothing if not resilient—a quality that had drawn both men to her in the first place.
As Cullen's gaze swept across the room, eventually landing on her, Veronica maintained her composed expression. Tonight would be a dance of polite conversations and careful distances, of pretending that the sight of him with another woman didn't pierce something deep within her. And she was determined to perform her part flawlessly, regardless of the cost to her heart.