“Rex, come here.” The child’s voice rang out clear, carrying across the room. The German Shepherd, who’d been sprawled lazily nearby, perked up at the command and bounded over at once.

“Good boy.” York ruffled Rex’s fur, grinning as the dog wagged his tail furiously by his side, showing not a hint of remorse for causing a scene.

The two–boy and dog–were soon lost in their own world, playing together, completely ignoring the curious stares from the other guests.

“Butler Dawson, take the dog away.” No one had noticed Max appear behind York, his tone cool and authoritative. York looked annoyed but reluctantly handed the

leash to Butler Dawson.

With the dog led away, an awkward silence settled over the party. In the corner, Stella was grinning so wide her eyes disappeared. She quickly sent the video she’d just recorded to someone, then, with a deliberate “slip,” forwarded it to the class group chat–only to delete it moments later.

The group chat went dead silent, but Stella knew she’d already achieved what she

wanted.

“Didn’t expect you to be such a troublemaker,” Penny teased, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

“Takes one to know one,” Stella shot back without missing a beat.

drop. Truth was,

played the perfect angel in front of the adults, and always seemed

the end, Ileana always managed to

as she saw Stella pocket her phone

show’s over. Time to call it a

wave and sauntered–out.

1/2

14:43

both pawns, trapped in the games of the Sullivans and the Tates. No matter

some point,

away.

up and took it from him. Max didn’t speak right away; instead, he offered the crowd a gentlemanly bow. With a faint, effortless smile, he exuded the

you, I’ve prepared a few small

the tension that had gripped the party began to dissipate. Scott, watching from the sidelines, finally allowed himself a

to Max’s early achievements and stories about his time abroad. The mood lightened, and, by the end of

the party was over, Scott’s expression changed in an instant. He scanned the room, only to find Max had

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