It's the evening of the next day. The atmosphere of the evening hums with energy as Jack and I make our way to the party. The venue is one of the grand lounges onboard, its high ceilings glittering with cascading chandeliers. Soft golden lights reflect off the polished wooden floors, and laughter fills the air, mingling with the gentle tunes of a live jazz band in the corner. Guests, dressed in their finest evening wear, swirl around the room like a sea of elegance.
I glance at Jack, his broad shoulders stiff beneath his tailored blazer. His blue eyes scan the room, not in search of pleasantries but with sharp vigilance. I feel the same tension coursing through me. Ever since the incident with Alex and the cryptic meetings, my sense of ease has vanished, replaced by an ever-present knot o
