Chapter Forty One

Suzy dipped her quill into the inkwell, carefully adding another dish to the elaborate menu for the upcoming ball. A sense of accomplishment bloomed in her chest. Poring over the Carleton ball books had been surprisingly fruitful. She's almost done with the budgeting, guest etiquette, and even the logistics of food preparation for the ball.

Suddenly, a memory jolted her back to reality. Flipping through one of the books, she recalled a specific passage – the importance of hiring temporary staff for such grand events. Her smile faltered. She'd completely forgotten to factor that expense into the budget she'd presented to Ryan.

She had carefully planned the decorations, entertainment, and even the guest list, but the need for extra staff had completely slipped her mind. A wave of panic washed over her. How could she have forgotten such a crucial detail?