Aria’s POV
Seated beside Jameson, I kept a polite smile plastered on my face as he introduced me to different businessmen, each handshake followed by a congratulatory remark on our supposed marriage. My cheeks ached from the forced expressions, but I knew better than to let my discomfort show.
The room was filled with elegantly dressed people, the air thick with wealth and influence. He handled conversations with ease, discussing numbers, contracts, and future business expansions while I stood there, nodding at the right moments. It was clear he had brought me here for a reason, to solidify whatever image he wanted to present.
When I finally spotted a chance to escape, I took it.
I slipped away while he was engrossed in a discussion, grabbing a glass of juice from a passing waiter bef
