The banquet hall of the Devereux estate was grander than Avery had imagined. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow that made every face appear as though it were glazed in porcelain.
Dominic held Avery close to him, a posture that made her skin crawl. The silk of her gown was thin; she could feel the heat of his palm seeping through the fabric.
A massive sign-in wall stood at the main entrance-a deep gray backdrop with "Devereux" embossed in gold, flanked by the logos of sponsors and partner institutions: Devereux Biotech, Sacred Heart Medical Group, and several laboratories whose names she didn't recognize. A line of photographers stood before the wall, their flashes crackling as every newcomer stopped to offer a practiced smile.
A staff member i
