Chapter 129: Charity Gala II
(Michelle POV)
The gentle hum of conversations filled the air, punctuated by soft laughter and the occasional clink of glasses. The lobby was quickly filling up, with guests trickling in through the double doors that led to the vast open garden where the charity gala proper would take place.
Everywhere I looked, people seemed to already belong — greeting each other, chatting about upcoming auctions, or showing off their latest designer purchases. Meanwhile, I stood there like an extra in someone else's movie.
Okay, Michelle. You can handle this. Smile, nod, look confident.
I took a glass of sparkling water from a passing waiter, purely for something to hold, and began scanning the crowd for familiar faces. Kate and Lara were nowhere to be seen yet. Either they were still helping out with preparations, or they were fashionably late.
My eyes wandered aimlessly, until—
Oh.
Across the lobby, standing near one of the tall glass tables, was Steven.
