Chapter 31–The Unveiling
As Jacob and Madeline entered the event hall, the majestic entrance plistened with luxury. The space was filled with gentle golden light from chandeliers, which illuminated the tastefully attired visites as they mixed with champagne glasses and laughed.
Despite the obvious excitement of the evening, Madeline pulled Jacob’s hand as he turned to head to the top table where the executives were seated,
“wait” she said softly, palling him to a halt.
jacob raised an eyebrow in question..
Madeline took out a light veil, a delicate piece that complemented her outfit, from her handbag. Her face was hall hidden as she carefully put it over her head and let it fall,
“I’ll take it off eventually” she said with a mischievous smile. Jacob chuckled, his gaze warm,
“You’re full of surprises tonight”
Madeline nodded, satisfied with her last touch, and they started walking down the middle of the corridor. The celebration had already begun. A symphony of conversation and clinking glasses
ed the room as guests arrived.
The rich aroma of the butter spread blended with the aroma of the flocal arrangements. As the elusive CEO, Jacob D’Connell, approached the high table, heads turned. Conversations became quieter as more people became aware of the woman at his side.
With assurance, Jacob grasped her hand and led her through the throng, her face was tially obscared by the veil, but her importance was obvious from the beauty of her dress and the way Jacob had his attention fixed on her,
“Is that Jacob with a date?”
“He never attends these events?
“And with her? Who is she?”
The weight of innumerable eyes fell upon them as the murmurs spread like wildfire. Jacob seemed unmoved, his manner unflinching, his stride steady. With her worries calmed by his silent power, Madeline scrolled elegantly next to him, her fingers delicately entwined with his.
Sebastian and Liam stood watching the spectacle up in the gallery. With his keen eyes sweeping the room, Liam was sipping his wine and evaluating possible networking contacts. Sebastian scooped up another glass of wine as a walter walled by, his focus turning to her.
His mouth curled into a languid smile as he continued to stare at her fleeing form. Smirking, Liam shook his head,
“Don’t get yourself drunk just yet, we’ve got important guests to deal with. Network speak wisely, tonight’s about making connections”
Sebastian
udgingly wrenched his gaze away from the waitress as he waved him away. Ever vigilant, Liam looked around the room once more. His eyes fell on Jacob O’Connell and his intriguing partner, the center of attention. His curiosity sparked him to this glass a little,
“Ah, look at that, he got her the dress after all Liam said, his tone light,
“What are you talking about?” Sebastian asked, turning to follow Liam’s line of sight, Liars gestured subtly,
Look at her gown, that’s the dress we saw him foolding at in the women’s–section”
Sebastian’s eyes fell on the two, and his brow wrinkled. He glanced at the veiled woman heat to Jacob, his glass of wife pausing halfway to his lips Something about her seemed familjar.
“Are you alright?” Liam inked, noticing Sebastian’s sudden stillness. Sebastian nodded absently, his eyes never leaving the couple.
Slowmote started to play, changing the mood. The room became softly shadowed when the lights went down. The middle of the dance floor, where Jacob was leading Madeline, was lit by a spotlight.
All eyes turned to the couple as the crowd’s noise subsided. With his hands softly resting on her waist, Jacob turned to face her, they moved to the music, Madeline smiled while keeping vel in place. The world seemed to have shrunk to the two of them, and the situation felt unreal
“Alright, Jakey” she whispered, bet tone teasing
“Take it off”
Jacob’s fingers brushed the veil’s edge as he laughed. He slowly and deliberately raised it, exposing her face to the room. The crowd echoed with gasps. In the gallery, Sebastian’s glass slipped from his hand, shattering on the floor
“Madeline” he whispered,
Ashe looked at the woman he had once claimed as his own, now beaming with grace and confidence in the arms of another man, the disbelief was visible on his face.
Jacob and Madeline glided in perfect unison on the dance floor, completely unaware of the chaos in the gallery. Jacob whispered something in her ear, his eyes full of pure devotion, and her laughter bubbled quietly. The night was just getting started for Madeline, a night of unquestionable chemistry and newly discovered confidence,
For Sebastian, it was the moment he realized what he’d lost.
