Chapter Sixty Nine

The ballroom was a spectacle of opulence and refinement. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow on the polished dance floor, their light dancing on the swirling gowns and tailored suits of the assembled guests. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and the faint tang of champagne. A live orchestra, stationed on a raised platform, filled the room with the enchanting strains of a waltz.

Suzy and Ryan joined the throng of dancers, their movements a perfect blend of grace and control. As their bodies moved in rhythm to the music, Ryan found himself drawn to the emerald gown she wore. It was a shade of green he had never seen before, rich and vibrant, like a jewel unearthed from the depths of the earth.

"This dress," he murmured, his voice low, "it's unlike anything I've seen before. It suits you."