The blackmailer

"Oh, look who's here!" David's lips curved into a wide, warm smile. "Frederick Williams, your fiancée is a real beauty." Minister Logan bowed slightly before Cassie, his eyes twinkling with genuine admiration. Cassie chuckled lightly, her slender hands covering her mouth, her cheeks flushing with delight.

David pulled out a chair beside him, and Frederick followed suit, gallantly offering a seat to Cassie before sitting down himself. The men chuckled at Frederick's chivalrous gesture. "He sure loves his woman," one of them teased.

"I think everyone is here," David said, scanning the room. Minister Logan furrowed his brows, his expression turning serious. "Sean refused my invitation, humph." He rubbed his moustache slowly, his eyes fixed on the wall, lost in thought.

"Who cares?" Frederick interjected, a sly smile spreading across his face. "The party can commence without him, right?" He raised his cup in a toast, and the others agreed, clinking their glasses together.

Just as they too