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After a few more strangely tense moments, Mom’s face relaxed and she gave me a satisfied smile. “Then that’s all that matters. Come on, let’s go and get some dessert.”

I side-eyed her as we kept walking, a little bewildered by the exchange. Mom loved Anita. I knew it for a fact. Why was she suddenly worrying that I wasn’t happy with her? Or, maybe not worried, but… wanting to make sure.

Maybe she’d seen Anita somewhere in the ballroom looking all tense and frowny while she was at work. She could look pretty intimidating when she was ultra-focused. I, personally, found it hot in the same way I found the cock cage hot—with just a touch of exhilarating fear.

Kiti was trailing behind us on her phone as we reached Laki and Greid. My gut tightened with apprehension when I spotted Beryl a short distance away talking to Corva.

“Hey,” Greid said through a mouthful of food, pulling my attention back to him. “Have you tried the salted caramel brownie things? They’re not as good as Sorin’s but they’re still really good.”

“Not yet.” I chuckled, nudging Laki as I glanced at them. They didn’t react, staring into the middle distance with a glazed, contented look in their eyes as they shoved a fruit tart in their mouth and chewed.

Then they blinked, focusing on me when I reached up and flicked the open collar of their shirt. “Couldn’t have put on a tie at least, dude?” I teased.

They huffed in amusement. “I don’t own a tie.”

“I could’ve given you one.” I smoothed a hand down my own new Labrada silk tie, imported from England a week ago specifically for tonight.

My new bespoke Seta Nera suit looked fucking fantastic too. I’d seen the gleam in Anita’s eyes when I’d tried it on the other week, so I was looking forward to finding out whether she wanted me to leave it on or take it off me herself when we got home. She was partial to both.

“You have no idea how much willpower it’s taking me to not yank really hard on your tie,” Laki told me, which made Greid snicker.

“Don’t even think about it.” I adjusted the knot of my tie before glancing down to make sure the matching pocket square was still tastefully arranged.

When I started fiddling with my Thene palladium cufflinks, looking around again for Anita, Greid snorted. “You look fine, Nuni.”

“Oh, yeah, I know,” I said absently. “Just wondering where Anita is.”

Laki and Greid shared a look.

“She’s around somewhere, right?” Laki said dismissively, picking up a mini cheesecake. “She’s working, bro. Let her get on with it.”

“I have been,” I shot back a touch defensively. “I just want to make sure she’s okay. She’s been pretty stressed over the last week or so.”

They shared another look.

“I saw her a few minutes ago, I’m pretty sure…” Greid waved vaguely in the direction of the bar, then stuffed a tiny beignet in his mouth. “Oh man, these are so good. Has Beryl tried these yet? Where’s Beryl?”

“She was just talking to…”

I trailed off when Beryl appeared beside Greid with a cheerful smile. A split second later, I heard a throat being cleared behind me.

When I turned around, Corva gave me a warm but professional smile.

“Mr var Rorik.” She held out her hand. “I hope you’re enjoying the evening.”

After a moment of hesitation, I briefly grasped her hand. “Hi, Corva. I am. Ani—Ms Chaudhary has done an incredible job.”

Her brow twitched, but she looked more amused than judgemental, so my hackles only started to rise very slightly.

“She has.” Corva paused. “I value her very much.”

Yeah, well, you fucking better, I thought viciously. Or you might find Rorik + Stimis Architects branching out into the event planning market and poaching your best employee.

Employees plural, I then added in my head. I’ll take Hustin as well.

“Good.” I gave her a bland smile.

“I’m sure Anita has already mentioned it, but we can also help with sending out notes of thanks to all the guests, if you’d like us to. I’ll also be in touch next week for a post-event review and for any feedback you’d like to pass on.”