The moment Reed appeared with Aria beside him, the atmosphere shifted instantly.

The quiet conversations around the dining hall died one after another until the entire place fell into complete silence.

Every pair of eyes landed directly on them or more specifically on Aria.

Aria felt her shoulders tense immediately under the weight of so many stares.

The dining hall itself looked intimidatingly luxurious.

A long table stretched across the center, decorated with silver candle stands, crystal glasses and enough food to feed an army.

Men dressed in expensive suits and women dripping in diamonds sat around the table elegantly, all carrying the same air of wealth and authority.

For...