The Heiress He Underestimated novel Chapter 125

Chapter 125 The Ballroom

They headed for the door where Frost was waiting with the cars. When he saw Clara, he stopped mid- sentence in whatever he was saying to his team. Just stopped, stared, and then very deliberately cleared his throat.

“Ms. Evans. You look… that is, the dress is… you’re very professional tonight.”

Clara bit back a smile. “Professional? That’s what you’re going with?”

“I mean presentable. No, that’s worse. You look nice. Appropriate for the venue.”

“Frost, just tell her she looks beautiful before you hurt yourself,” Drakonius said.

Frost’s jaw tightened. “You look beautiful, Ms. Evans.”

Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself.”

He was in a tuxedo like the other security staff, blending in with the guests while still being able to access all his equipment. He looked dangerous and handsome at the same time, which seemed to be doing things to Clara’s ability to form coherent thoughts.

“Shall we?” Frost asked, gesturing to the cars.

The Westbridge Foundation Gala was being held at the Grand Monarch Hotel, the fanciest venue in the city. The building was lit up like a jewel box, with red carpet and photographers and celebrities arriving in a steady stream.

“We’re using the side entrance,” Frost said. “No red carpet and no press. We’ll enter through the private elevator directly to the ballroom level.”

“Boring but smart,” Elara agreed.

They slipped in through the side entrance and took the private elevator up. The ballroom was already packed with the city’s elite, all of them dressed to kill and pretending they weren’t desperately trying to see who else was there.

“Remember, Drakonius murmured as they entered. “We’re the perfect couple. Happy, in love, completely unbothered by anything anyone might say or do.”

“Got it. Project ‘we don’t care what you think.””

“Exactly.”

They made their entrance and almost immediately, heads started turning, Whispers followed them across the room like a wave. “That’s them.” “Is that really Raven Shadowmere?” “I heard he’s dying.” “I heard she married him for his money.” “They look happy though.” “It’s probably an act.”

Elera kept her chin up and her hand firmly in the crook of Drakonius’s arm. Let them talk. Let them speculate. She knew the truth, and that was enough.

They found their assigned table near the front, which was both an honor and a tactical nightmare.

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Chapter 125 The Ballroom

Everyone could see them. Which was probably the point.

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飾 Finished

“At least the champagne is good,” Clara said, already on her second glass. She was seated next to Frost, who was technically working but had been given permission to sit at their table to maintain the illusion that he was a guest.

“Slow down,” Frost said quietly. “You need to stay sharp. This crowd is dangerous in their own way.”

“I’m fine. I can handle champagne and rich people.”

“I’m sure you can. I’m just saying to pace yourself.”

“Are you worried about me, Frost?”

“I’m worried about everyone. It’s my job.”

“But you’re specifically worried about me right now.”

“You’re at my table. Therefore you’re my responsibility.”

Clara smiled into her champagne glass. “That’s almost sweet.”

Dinner was the usual roasted chicken and overdone vegetables that fancy galas always served. Elera pushed food around her plate while making small talk with the people at their table. A tech CEO and his wife who seemed nice enough. A museum director who clearly wanted to pitch them on a donation. A hedge fund manager who kept looking at Elera like she was a stock he was considering investing in.

“So,” the hedge fund manager said, leaning toward her. “Raven Shadowmere. That’s quite the revelation. What made you decide to go public?”

“It was time,” Elera said simply. “I’d kept the secret as long as it served me. Then it didn’t anymore.”

“And your husband had no idea? That must have been quite a shock.”

“The best kind of shock,” Drakonius said smoothly, his hand finding Elera’s under the table. “Finding out the brilliant doctor I married is also a brilliant author? That’s not a problem, that’s winning the lottery twice.”

“She is a doctor? Wow, but still, the secrecy. Some might say it’s concerning. What else might you be hiding?”

It was said pleasantly, but the threat was clear. People were already wondering and already digging.

“Everyone has private aspects of their lives,” Elera said. “The question is whether those private things hurt anyone. Mine don’t. They’re just mine.”

“Spoken like someone with more secrets to hide.”

Drakonius’s hand tightened on hers. “Spoken like someone who values her privacy. Which is her right.”

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