Chapter 78: Chapter 78 – I’m Sorry, But There’s Been a Change of Plan
Seraphine looked like she had stepped straight out of so exclusive high-fashion editorial that most people only ever see in glossy magazines, because that night she wasn’t just dressed nicely, she was elegance in human form, wrapped in a midnight-blue evening gown that caught the chandelier light every ti she moved and sent it rippling across the walls like she carried her own private galaxy with her as she made her way down the stairs.
She was petite, yes, but there was nothing small about the presence she carried, and Corvine couldn’t rember seeing that dress when they went shopping on their first day in the city, which ant either Leon had quietly bought it for her without ntioning a word, or Seraphine had arranged it herself without him noticing, and neither possibility sat right with him as he stood there watching her descend one slow, graceful step at a ti.
The gown clung to her fra like it had been designed exclusively for her body, the silk flowing down in a smooth cascade that trailed just enough behind her to draw attention without looking excessive, and the neckline was daring in a way that managed to be both tempting and refined at the sa ti, detailed carefully so that it balanced allure with sophistication, leaving anyone who looked at her unsure whether they were supposed to admire her beauty or feel slightly intimidated by how effortlessly she carried it.
Her brunette hair had been styled into soft waves that frad her face perfectly, making the blue of her eyes stand out even more, that striking contrast catching in the light and pulling Corvine in before he even realized he had been staring a little too long.
She wore minimalist jewelry, nothing flashy or overdone, just enough to accent her natural beauty without overpowering it, as if she understood that layering on too many diamonds would only distract from what she already had, and when she down the stairs, there was this calm confidence in her stride, the kind that didn’t need to announce itself loudly but still made the air in the room feel different.
Sothing about that quiet power mixed with grace and a hint of mystery was what made Corvine deeply uneasy in a way he did not enjoy acknowledging.
"You know those billionaires can be perverts, right?" he said, attempting to keep his tone casual even though the words carried sothing heavier underneath, because he could not shake the image of wealthy n with too much money and too little restraint looking at her like she was sothing to acquire.
"I’m just saying, I’m afraid they’ll co at you in ways Leon might not be able to protect you from."
He swallowed after saying that, because it was one thing to warn her and another to admit to himself that she looked better than he had ever seen her look back in the pack or even when they first arrived in the city, and the thought of other n noticing the sa thing tightened sothing unpleasant inside his chest.
Seraphine felt a flicker of discomfort at his words, because the last thing she wanted was a room full of powerful n trying to turn business conversations into sothing inappropriate, and even though she trusted Leon’s judgnt, she was not na??ve enough to believe that wealth automatically ant decency.
"Leon said the event is glamorous and I had to dress for the occasion," she replied evenly, even as she felt the weight of Corvine’s gaze lingering longer than usual.
A dark expression crossed Corvine’s eyes for a brief second before he masked it carefully, and he asked, almost too smoothly, "So he bought the dress for you?"
Seraphine nodded right as the doorbell rang, the timing almost too perfect, and Corvine drew in a steady breath before walking to answer it, and the second he opened the door and saw Leon standing there, he understood exactly what she had ant about the evening being glamorous.
Leon stood frad in the doorway like he belonged on a red carpet sowhere, dressed in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo paired with a crisp white shirt that contrasted sharply against his blonde hair, and even Corvine, who had no desire to admire another man, had to admit that Leon looked annoyingly handso, almost unfairly so, and it was surprising how much a different outfit could transform soone from a respected surgeon and dical director into what looked like a powerful businessman ready to close major deals.
"She’s ready," Corvine said with a tight smile that did not reach his eyes as he stepped aside to let him in, and the mont Leon’s gaze landed on Seraphine, his expression widened with unmistakable satisfaction.
"I knew it would look good on you," Leon said warmly. "God, it’s perfect."
Seraphine felt her cheeks warm slightly as she took him in, because he had clearly put effort into his appearance as well, with his hair neatly trimd, his beard cleanly shaven, and his overall presence more polished and refined, as if tonight required a different version of him and he had stepped into it seamlessly.
"You look good too," she said shyly, and Leon smiled before sliding his hand inside his coat jacket and pulling out a small red velvet box, holding it out to her with careful intention.
"I almost forgot," he said smoothly. "I got this with the dress and accessories, but I wanted to give it to you in person."
He moved closer, and Seraphine took the box with a puzzled expression, her fingers brushing against the velvet as she opened it, and the mont she saw what was inside, her jaw dropped before she could stop herself.
"This... this must be really expensive," she said, her voice catching slightly, while Corvine leaned just enough to catch a glimpse of the jewelry inside, and the sight of it made his unease spike sharply, because it felt like Leon was moving ahead in a race Corvine had not even realized had begun.
"It’s nothing," Leon replied smoothly, though his eyes lingered briefly on the thin diamond necklace already resting against her collarbone. "Do you mind?"
Seraphine inhaled slowly before turning around and lifting her hair out of the way, allowing Leon to unclasp the necklace she had been wearing and replace it with the one from the velvet box, and the transformation was imdiate, because the new piece caught the light in a way that elevated everything about her, as if the dress had been waiting for that exact finishing touch.
"god... you look like a goddess," Corvine muttered, catching himself before using the term he almost said, while Leon smiled with clear pride and offered his arm in a gesture that felt both traditional and possessive, and Seraphine slipped her hand through it, their colognes blending subtly in the air as they stepped outside together.
She noticed almost imdiately that Leon had not arrived in the sa vehicle as before, and when she saw the customized 2026 Lincoln Navigator Black Label waiting for them, she took in the elevated luxury of it, because everything about the car, from its polished exterior to its refined interior, reflected a different level of wealth and preparation.
The drive toward the venue was smooth and quiet, city lights streaking past the windows as anticipation built slowly in her chest, but just as they were nearing their destination, Leon’s phone buzzed, and the way his expression tightened when he read the ssage made her stomach twist with unease.
He frowned and imdiately called his father, his voice low and serious during the brief conversation, and when he finally ended the call, he turned toward Seraphine with an expression that carried apology and tension in equal asure.
"I’m sorry," he said, his tone no longer light or confident but edged with sothing heavier, "but there’s been a change of plan."
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