Chapter 101

Her eyes shimmered like autumn lakes, deep and mesmerizing.

With a single graceful turn, her silhouette seemed to pierce straight through Thaddeus's chest.

Her voice was hauntingly beautiful, weaving a spell over the entire audience.

Thaddeus couldn't look away.

One on stage, one in the crowd—separated by time, by fate, yet drawn together as if destiny had orchestrated this moment.

Every flicker of her smile, every subtle movement, made his heart ache with something he couldn't name.

"Is that really her?!" Hamiltion's grip tightened on the armrest, his voice trembling with excitement. "It has to be! Look at her—that delicate nose, those lips—it's her!"

Thaddeus suddenly slumped back in his seat, his vision blurring. A sharp pain lanced through his temples.

"Thad? What's wrong?" Jareth leaned in, concern etching his features.

"I'm fine." Thaddeus pressed a hand to his forehead, his gaze darkening.

Why did that name—her name—sound so familiar?

And why did it feel like a knife twisting in his chest?

Hamiltion was lost in the music, his expression soft with nostalgia.

Evadne had always visited him, singing to lift his spirits.

She remembered the first time he'd heard her voice—how tears had spilled down his weathered cheeks as memories of his beloved Fiona flooded back.

Fiona had been a legendary singer, and Hamiltion had loved her fiercely, defying his family to make her his wife. Their love story had been the stuff of fairy tales.

Evadne had once envied that kind of love.

Until Thaddeus shattered her heart.

The audience was spellbound, completely absorbed in her performance.

"I heard she's Thaddeus's ex-wife! How could he let someone like her go?"

"Shh! She's with President Ashbourne now!"

"Did you see the way Thaddeus was looking at her? He's still in love with her."

"Obviously. She's everything he ever wanted—unlike that tacky Acacia."

Acacia's face burned with humiliation. She stormed away, fists clenched.

She found a secluded corner, her mind racing with venomous thoughts.

Elspeth had been pushing her to act—but she wasn't stupid enough to be someone else's pawn.

No. She needed an ally.

And Glynnis, with her simmering hatred, was perfect.

A quick message later, Glynnis arrived, her heels clicking furiously against the marble.

"That witch! How dare she steal the spotlight again!"

Acacia smirked. "Oh, please. Singing? How common. Performers are just glorified entertainers—nothing more."

Glynnis's lips curled. "You're right. She's beneath us."

"Tell me, Glynnis... don't you want revenge?"

Glynnis's eyes gleamed. "More than anything."

Acacia leaned in, her voice a whisper. "Then let's ruin her."

She pulled out two vials—clear, unassuming, deadly.

Glynnis recoiled. "What is that?"

"A little... push." Acacia's smile was icy. "One dose for Cassius. One for her."

Glynnis paled. "You want to—here?!"

"Imagine the scandal." Acacia's voice dripped with malice. "The Ashbourne name destroyed. Thaddeus disgusted. And Jareth? He'd never look at her again."

Glynnis hesitated—but the image of Jareth's adoring gaze on Evadne burned in her mind.

She nodded.

The music swelled, wrapping the room in its embrace.

Jareth watched Evadne, utterly captivated.

Thaddeus's chest ached, his throat tight.

Cassius sighed. "Love like that... it hurts."

The words struck Thaddeus like a blow.

Then—gasps.

A ripple through the crowd.

Evadne faltered, her voice trembling.

Her gaze locked onto the figure striding through the room—tall, commanding, impossible.

Emeric.

Chairman of the K Group.

Here.

Now.

The whispers exploded.

"Is that—Emeric?!"

"The Ashbournes and Abernathys—truce?!"

Evadne's heart pounded.

Why was he here?

Who invited him?

The world tilted.

And the game changed.