Chapter 321

The moment she stepped out of the car, a damp, salty breeze rushed to meet her, carrying the distinct tang of the sea.

Beneath the dark sky, the sea and horizon merged into a faint, distant line. From afar, it looked as if shimmering lights were scattered across the water’s surface, a sight so beautiful it was almost unreal.

Paying no mind to her hair whipping in the wind, Evangeline stared into the distance, her mouth falling open in silent admiration.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.

“There’s more to see,” Finn replied with a soft laugh, having heard the awe in her voice.

He gestured with his chin toward the distance.

Evangeline followed his gaze.

Slowly, white lights began to bloom on the dark expanse of water, one after another, until the magnificent silhouette of a cruise ship was revealed.

“Come on,” Finn said, starting forward.

Evangeline followed close behind. Once the gangway was lowered, she trailed him onto the yacht.

The deck was as bright as day.

Guests in elegant attire mingled, their conversations punctuated by the clinking of glasses. The atmosphere was one of effortless class.

Evangeline had assumed it would just be the two of them, or perhaps a couple of Finn’s friends. She hadn’t expected a full-blown party.

Now it made sense why Finn had insisted she change, and why he had been so meticulous in picking out her dress at the mall.

The sight of the crowd made a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach, and she felt her body tense up.

Finn gently placed a hand on the small of her back. “No need to be nervous,” he said soothingly. “They’re all just people p>

Besides, if anyone should be nervous, it was them. The Lockridge family’s standing in Serenity City meant they were the ones to be feared, not the other way around. “Mr. Lockridge, Miss Whitmore p>

A man holding a wine glass approached them with a warm smile.

Evangeline instinctively gave a slight, stiff bow in return, her own smile feeling pasted on.

The guest, who had only meant to offer a simple greeting, was taken aback by her formal gesture and hastily tried to return it, looking utterly flattered.

As Evangeline reached out to steady her, the yacht swayed. Her hand accidentally jostled the man’s glass, sending wine splashing all over his suit.

Her mind went completely blank, a jumble of panic.

“I’m so sorry,” she stammered.

Her apology only seemed to fluster him more. “Not at all! It was my fault, I wasn’t holding it properly p>

The situation devolved into a chaotic muddle.

Finn, watching with an amused smile, stepped in. He grabbed a warm towel from a nearby attendant and gently wiped the wine stains from Evangeline’s hand.

Then he turned to the other man. “There are guest rooms below deck. Please, go get changed p>

“Of course p>

Finn’s calm intervention broke the tension. The man gave Evangeline a sheepish nod and disappeared from the deck.

Evangeline looked at Finn, her face flushed with embarrassment.

“Relax,” Finn said with a gentle smile. “Everyone here knows your history, but they don’t care. After all, who doesn’t have a past they’d rather not talk about? And besides, there’s no shame in loving someone.

At least, he didn’t think so.

Evangeline knew he was just trying to make her feel better. She managed a weak smile but said nothing.

She hated these kinds of social gatherings. Business events were different; they had a clear purpose. But parties like this often ended with her becoming the butt of a joke, a piece of gossip for everyone to chew on. shovels

As if reading her mind, Finn’s smile widened.

36.

“What if I told you,” he said, his voice low, “that later tonight, I’m going to introduce you to someone who could be very helpful for UME’S future? Would that make you feel a little better p>