The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 531

Sebastian chuckled dismissively. "Not much."

Mayor Dupont vigorously shook his head. "Don't be so modest. I've seen my fair share of extravagant spectacles, but nothing has ever come close to this." He pointed at the endless sea of blooms. "Twelve thousand 'Queen of the Night' roses. These are hundreds of dollars a stem. The floral budget alone is deep into the millions." He gestured down toward the embedded LED tracking along the base of the stage. "Aviation-grade aluminum. Custom tempered glass. You could buy a luxury condo for the cost of this flooring alone." He took a breath. "And the drones? Eight hundred units. Tens of thousands of dollars a piece. And Olympic-grade pyrotechnics do not go for anything less than a massive, seven-figure sum."

Sebastian said nothing, his expression unreadable.

The Mayor looked at him with profound respect. "Mr. Thorne, your devotion to Dr. Sullivan is truly awe-inspiring."

Sebastian nodded simply. "It is."

Mayor Dupont gave his shoulder a firm, approving clap. "Then allow me to offer my premature congratulations." He checked his designer watch. "I must be going. I have a council meeting this evening. Mr. Thorne, tomorrow night, the eyes of the entire world will be fixed squarely on Paris. Are you ready?"

Sebastian's fingers brushed against the heavy velvet box in his pocket. "I'm ready."

The Mayor departed with a wide grin. Outside the perimeter, the rabid crowd showed no signs of dispersing. The influencer's livestream had just crossed a hundred thousand concurrent viewers. He screamed excitedly into his mic, "Guys, the Mayor just left! But the billionaire is still there! He's just standing completely still in the center of the stage, staring up at The Eiffel Tower. What do you think is going through his head right now?"

The chat exploded. *Probably rehearsing his speech.* Another viewer typed: *Debating which custom suit to wear.*

A third added: *Probably terrified he's gonna mess it up.*

The influencer laughed out loud. "Of course he's terrified! If you were dropping this kind of cash, you'd be shaking in your boots too!"

Sebastian stood completely motionless in the center of the massive stage, his gaze locked on the towering steel structure across the river. A sharp, icy wind swept across the plaza. He shoved his hand deep into his pocket, his fingers gripping the small box. His hand was trembling slightly, his palms slick with a cold sweat. He pictured tomorrow. He pictured her in a flowing, pale champagne gown, stepping onto the silk carpet, walking toward him step by agonizingly beautiful step. He pictured the moment she reached him, the moment he would drop to one knee and snap that box open. Would she laugh? Would she cry?