07-04-2024, 12:11 AM
It quickly became apparent what sort of party he and Guillaume had crashed. Carter was suddenly grateful for the mask, simple black as it was, to obscure his reaction. How the hell did Colette climb this social ladder so fast that she was at a party like this? Surely her family’s name did not carry that much leverage in Moscow. Colette’s beauty was always mesmerizing, but look around, every woman in sight was gorgeous. She was nothing special here.
The waitress had disappeared by then, and he now understood her cryptic words. Carter, meanwhile, texted Gui, asking if he knew that this party was attended by the Ascendancy himself. Gui responded with a non-committal answer, and Carter stuffed his wallet back in his pocket without replying. He spent the rest of the time staying on the periphery of the room, carefully positioning himself behind larger or taller people. Yet he kept an eye on Colette, but all he caught were glimpses of a blue hem and the flash of her profile.
Eventually, he realized that she was with someone, and Carter circled to get a better look at his competition. He spotted them by the grand staircase, Colette laughing at something the man said. Her companion was tall and muscular, impeccably dressed, and exuded an air of effortless confidence. Carter’s heart sank, but he clenched his jaw and planned his play.
The waitress had disappeared by then, and he now understood her cryptic words. Carter, meanwhile, texted Gui, asking if he knew that this party was attended by the Ascendancy himself. Gui responded with a non-committal answer, and Carter stuffed his wallet back in his pocket without replying. He spent the rest of the time staying on the periphery of the room, carefully positioning himself behind larger or taller people. Yet he kept an eye on Colette, but all he caught were glimpses of a blue hem and the flash of her profile.
Eventually, he realized that she was with someone, and Carter circled to get a better look at his competition. He spotted them by the grand staircase, Colette laughing at something the man said. Her companion was tall and muscular, impeccably dressed, and exuded an air of effortless confidence. Carter’s heart sank, but he clenched his jaw and planned his play.