The grand ballroom of Lucian's birthday gala sparkled with crystal chandeliers and mirrored columns. Soft violin music wove through conversations about market forecasts and luxury launches. Lynn hovered at the edge of the crowd in a sapphire-blue sheath dress of her own design. In her hand, she clenched a tiny velvet box containing the sapphire pin—a constellation of father and child—that she had planned to present as her birthday gift to Lucian.
She glanced toward the stage where Lucian stood beside his father. Chairmen and investors raised glasses in his honor. His tailored tuxedo was flawless; his face was composed, yet the tension in his shoulders betrayed him. For a moment, Lynn's heart swelled with pride. Then, across the room, whispers rippled.
“Isn't that Yara Zhou?"
“She came b
