24

Brigid moved closer to Zion, tugging lightly at the hem of his shirt. She whispered as low as she could, "Just be polite with them, don't say anything stupid..."

Zion, however, didn't appreciate that in the slightest.

Sure, he had come to this event knowing full well it would be filled with meaningless small talk between guests. Tara had also pushed him to attend, calling it "practice" for when he eventually took over some of the properties she had promised him. If only he hadn't stopped making suppressants, he wouldn't have to endure this kind of masochistic nonsense. What a hassle.

As the two Rosewell siblings approached—Leila, the woman standing beside Jerome, extended a hand toward Zion. He shook it out of formality. Her blue eyes flickered to him, hesitant and shy. It was a color he recognized, but to Zion, it didn't hold the same allure as when that shade belonged to Suga.