A crystal‑chandelier glow bathed the Grand Ballroom of the Meridian Hotel, its gilded walls reflecting a constellation of opulent gowns and tuxedos. Lin Wantang stood beside her private booth—a circular enclave draped in ivory silk—watching dignitaries drift past like schools of silver‑scaled fish. Across the room, Qi Siheng held court at the head table, his posture perfectly straight, eyes scanning the crowd as though cataloging every movement.
Jasper squirmed in his stroller beneath a low lantern. “Mommy, can I have some juice?" he whispered, eyes wandering to a waiter balancing a tray of flute glasses.
“Not yet, love," Wantang replied softly. “Wait for the nanny." She offered him a reassuring smile, though her heart thrummed like a hummingbird's wingbeat.
A hush murmured through the
