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The tension in the banquet hall was a physical weight, but Xavier Grayson had reached his limit. Just as he stood to offer a cold, final departure without a word of goodbye, a small, trembling hand clamped around his wrist.

"Come upstairs with me for a moment," Chloe Bishop whispered.

Xavier looked down. Chloe’s face was ghostly, her eyes wide and swimming with a silent, desperate plea