69. Someone Gets Slapped

By the time they were ready, it was nearly 7 PM. Emma checked the time and quickly grabbed Lyla, hurrying them out of the room. They walked down the hallway to the elevator, and as it descended, the sounds of the banquet grew louder. When the doors opened, the noise hit them like a wave. The music was deafening—a pulsing rock beat that made the very floor beneath them tremble.

Emma, excited like a girl heading to her first school dance, was about to pull Lyla inside when a senior staff member approached. "Emma, where have you been? Get back to the kitchen and help with the drinks!"

Emma pouted, clearly disappointed, but then gestured toward the large doors. She whispered to Lyla, "Ms. Sinclair, this is the banquet hall. I have to help serve the drinks and snacks, so I can’t go in with you."

Lyla nodded, watching Emma walk away. She stayed back for a moment, calming her nerves, before taking a deep breath and pushing open the grand, gold-trimmed crystal doors.

The sight that greeted