Raya's heels clicked softly on the polished marble floor as she approached the cluster of men standing beneath the grand chandelier. Her eyes found Adrian's tall figure, his back straight, posture commanding as always. Beside him stood Elias Blake, patriarch of the Blake empire, sharp in a grey tailored suit, his cane resting lightly in one hand.
Raya inhaled quietly, steadied her steps, and slipped her hand gently into the crook of Adrian's forearm, catching his attention. He looked down briefly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face.
"Grandpa," she greeted with a graceful smile, "it's a pleasure to see you again."
Elias turned, his brows lifting in brief surprise, then softening.
"Well," he chuckled, "you've started calling me something more intimate. That's good."
Raya's hand subtly tightened around Adrian's arm, her nerves spiking at the slip. Seraphina always called him Grandpa Blake, not just Grandpa.
Adrian noticed. Of course, he has to.
"She's going to be family soon," Adrian said smoothly, covering for her. "She might as well start getting used to that."
Before anyone could respond, a voice called from behind.
"Seraphina?"
Raya turned slightly — it was Patrick Blake, Adrian's father. Tall and composed, with a deep voice that demanded attention. Standing with him were his elegant wife, Evelyn, and Amelia, Adrian's younger stepsister, staring with wide, curious eyes, who immediately went to hook her hand into her grandfather Elias's like a spoiled brat.
"Mr. Blake," Raya greeted politely, nodding with the kind of grace Elena had drilled into her.
Patrick's eyes narrowed, scanning her face. "You're Seraphina Hart?"
His tone wasn't accusing — just... confused.
Raya smiled, tilting her head. "Do I look any different tonight?"
There was a tense pause before Patrick gave a short laugh. "No, no. You look good. Very good. Just... different."
Another "different"? What exactly are they trying to say? Even she would mistake herself for Seraphina Hart right now, so what do they mean by "different"?
"I also thought so," Victor added, suddenly stepping forward with his ever-present charm. "But it's a beautifully different, don't you think?"
Elias's gaze shifted between them all, expression unreadable.
Adrian's voice cut in, quiet but firm. "Do we have a problem here?"
"No," Patrick said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Of course not. Enjoy the evening."
He gave a brief nod and turned to walk away, followed by Evelyn, his wife, both of them acting like a loving couple. Victor lingered, giving Raya one last unreadable glance.
Raya exhaled slowly. She knew he had something to say.
"I almost thought you disappeared, Seraphina?" Victor said.
"Why would you think that?" Raya asked, already tired of the questions.
"You just ghosted everyone. You even missed your gown fitting," Victor explained.
"You seem to be keeping tabs on me. If others didn't know, they might think I'm engaged to you… or are you interested in me Victor?" Raya said with a smile.
Victor's smile faltered but he masked it quickly. Seraphina didn't usually talk back like that. Most times, she just smiled and ignored.
"I wouldn't dare covet my brother's woman. It's just kinda suspicious you didn't post for a long time…."
Adrian's eyes flicked to him, sharp. "You seem very eager for my fiancée to disappear, Victor."
Victor's smirk vanished, and he quickly looked away.
Elias nodded slowly, absorbing everything. "Adrian, I hope everything is okay on your end."
Behind the question, he was only asking if Adrian and Seraphina were okay.
Adrian's voice was like steel. "You want to see Seraphina at the gala?"
He stepped back, placing his hand on Raya's shoulder, allowing her to step slightly forward again.
"You're looking at her.... Live"
Elias studied her face a moment longer. Then finally, he smiled. "Well then. Welcome, my dear."
Raya gave a soft smile. "Thank you, Grandpa."
But inside… her heart beat faster.
They believed her.
At least for now.
A polite cough interrupted Raya's thoughts.
Standing just behind Elias was Giovanni Romano, the head of the Romano family. Silver-haired, tall, and dressed in a sharp black Italian suit, his presence carried the weight of old power — silent, calculating, and respected.
Giovanni's eyes landed on Raya beside Adrian. His expression didn't betray much, but his mind already reached a conclusion.
So this is the woman… the one who's keeping my daughter from getting what she wants.
A little smile played on his lips.
Elias's eyes lit up. "Giovanni, I was beginning to think you'd send one of your sons in your place."
Giovanni gave a slight nod. "They had other matters to attend to. Besides, tonight seemed... significant."
His eyes flicked toward Raya and Adrian. "Important enough for me to attend myself."
Adrian, standing beside Raya, gave a respectful nod. "Mr. Romano."
Giovanni turned to him and returned the gesture. "Adrian."
Their exchange was brief — a quiet recognition between two powerful men who didn't waste words.
Adrian knew Giovanni wasn't pleased with him, even though he tried to mask it behind those polite smiles of his. But frankly, he didn't care.
Elias chuckled. "And this," he said, placing a hand on Raya's shoulder, "is Seraphina Hart. Or rather, the woman who finally managed to tame this one."
Giovanni stepped forward, offering a hand. "Miss Hart. A pleasure."
Raya shook it politely. "Likewise, Mr. Romano."
This person sure wasn't part of tonight script, but she still smiled and tried to act it well.
His gaze lingered just a second longer than necessary — thoughtful, curious, as though assessing her beneath the surface.
"You carry yourself well," he said quietly. "It's no small thing to walk into a room like this with every eye on you."
Before she could respond, Victor Blake appeared at Giovanni's side, smiling confidently, eager to voice his opinion.
"Mr. Romano. It's an honor. I've been keeping up with your recent work in Milan — brilliant as always. Your insights into silent partnerships really changed the way I approach our investment arm."
Giovanni barely looked at him. "I'm sure it did."
Victor pressed on. "Perhaps we could meet sometime. I've been reviewing some merger possibilities..."
"Later, perhaps," Giovanni said simply, already turning back toward Elias.
Victor's jaw clenched, but he kept smiling.
Elias leaned in slightly, whispering with amusement, "You still don't like being flattered, do you?"
Giovanni's lips quirked. "Not when it's empty."
Elias smiled with a hint of disappointment — this was exactly why he chose Adrian over Victor. No one dared to speak to Adrian the way Giovanni spoke to Victor.
Victor stood frozen for a moment, still smiling, though it didn't quite reach his eyes anymore.
Giovanni's attention drifted back to Raya.
"I look forward to seeing more of you, Miss Hart."
Raya inclined her head with a soft, perfect smile. "Likewise."
Giovanni glanced once more at her, nodded politely, and melted into the crowd like mist, already off to speak with another guest.
As Giovanni disappeared, Victor's smile faded completely.
Raya remained silent, but her sharp eyes caught every flicker of disappointment on Victor's face.
Adrian, beside her, didn't move, but even he could feel the quiet storm brewing behind the mask Victor wore.
He was only acting like this to impress Giovanni,If he wasn't trying so hard to get in his good books, so he can put in good words for him before Alessia, he wouldn't even care about that foolish old man Giovanni.
—
"Bro, you forget about me?" Lucas Reyes's voice rang from behind.
He and Adrian half-hugged each other.
"How are you?" Adrian asked.
"I'm good," Lucas replied with a smile.
"Good," Adrian said and nodded once.
"That's all?" Lucas complained.
"What more do you want?" Adrian asked.
"Seraphina, you need to tell your man to be more social, or else he'll have no friends," Lucas said.
"It is his good fortune that he already has you as a friend," Raya said while Lucas laughed.
Although deep down, she didn't want to have anything to do with Claudia — her mother's other family.