| SAME DAY: EVENING TIME |

The house didn't just speak of wealth, it announced it. A cacophony of laughter echoed from the house. Gracefulness spilled from every corner, rich and expensive perfumes tangled with the delicious aroma of desserts and different meals.

The guests were few like they were carefully selected. Men and women of influence, investors, executives, and power players, stood in small clusters with every conversation layered with meaning.

Ciara smiled as she looked around, loving the setup with her arm tangled with Blake's. They were the kind of couple people noticed without trying.

“ Are you sure he is coming?” Blake asked, referring to Grayson.

“...