Chapter 7 Shadows At The Banquet

• Elias Vale threw the banquet in Elara’s honor.
• The grand hall of the estate glittered under crystal chandeliers. Elegant guests — influential politicians, wealthy businessmen, and old family allies — filled the room in designer gowns and tailored suits. Live music played softly as waiters moved with silver trays of champagne and exquisite hors d’oeuvres.
• Elara stood near the center of it all in a sleek black evening gown, her posture regal and distant. She hadn’t wanted the celebration. But her father had insisted — quietly, as always.
• Elias moved through the crowd like a shadow, speaking little but observing everything. His eyes frequently returned to her, watchful and unreadable. He raised a toast in her honor, his voice low and measured: “To my daughter, who has already proven herself a force to be reckoned with.”
• The guests applauded. Elara offered a small, icy smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
• As the evening progressed, Kael approached her with two glasses of champagne. “You look like you’d rather be anywhere else,” he said gently.
• “I would,” she replied curtly, refusing the drink. “This is a waste of time.”
• Before he could respond, her attention shifted to a man across the room — the same mysterious figure she had seen at Damien’s funeral. He was here, dressed sharply, mingling with guests. When their eyes met, he gave her that same faint, unsettling smile.
• Elara’s blood ran cold. She excused herself from Kael and moved through the crowd, determined to confront him. But by the time she reached the spot, he had vanished again.
• Later that night, after the guests had left, Elara confronted her father in his private study.
• “Who was that man?” she demanded.
• Elias sat behind his desk, calm and observant as ever. “There were many men tonight, Elara.”
• “You know exactly who I mean.”
• He leaned back, watching her carefully but saying nothing more. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken truths.
• Elara left the study more determined than ever. The banquet had not been a welcome. It had been a stage.
• And someone was still playing games with her life.