FORTY-FIVE: Jealous Much?

[FEW WEEKS LATER: HECTOR'S BIRTHDAY PARTY]

Cedric was right, after all, Juniper thought to herself as scanned the Royal Ballroom. Hector's birthday party was more of a grand Royal Introduction than an actual birthday party. The party had begun at 7: 30pm and the celebrant was already in his room—fast asleep—way before then.

The royal ballroom was teeming with influential people from around the globe, mingling and networking in their finest, high-end outfits. Everyone exuded an aura of success, prestige, and glamour that it was hard to distinguish between royalty, nobles, celebrities, and business leaders.

That was the great thing about having wealth in abundance. It opened doors to exclusive circles, allowing one to rub shoulders with the elite—the rich and powerful.

People who seemed like kind and generous philanthropists on the surface, flashing warm smiles and adorned in stunning attire. However, beneath their polished facade, the purest form of evil nestled comfort