The evening was a symphony of opulence. The estate's grand staircase was alive with glittering lights, the soft hum of orchestral music drifting through the halls. Angela felt the sharp tug of tension in the air as she and Edmund descended, their figures casting shadows against the polished marble.
The gala was in full swing, with crystal chandeliers casting a golden glow over the crowd of elites. Laughter and clinking glasses filled the air, but beneath the glamour, Angela sensed something far more dangerous, an impending storm.
Her crimson gown clung to her like armor, its plunging neckline and delicate fabric commanding attention, but it was the resolute fire in her eyes that made her truly unmissable. Edmund, dressed in a black tuxedo tailored to perfection, walked beside her with a calm confidence that belied the turmoil beneath the surface. His hand rested lightly on her lower back, grounding her even as her heart pounded like a drum in her chest.