The night air outside the grand venue was thick with tension and chaos. Guests were spilling out onto the sprawling steps, their expensive attire crumpled in disarray as hushed murmurs turned to frantic whispers. The glow of flashing blue and red lights illuminated the scene as police and security teams swarmed the area, creating a cordon around the building.
Aria stood near the sleek black car that Sebastian had practically carried her to moments ago, her fingers gripping the edge of the door for balance. Her legs felt unsteady, her body trembling from the adrenaline that hadn’t yet faded. The echoes of the gunshot and the screams rang in her ears like a haunting melody.
Behind her, Aunt Marie was a storm in heels. She was barking orders into her phone, her other hand waving sharply at
