As the final notes of the waltz faded, Niamh and Prince William drew to a stop, earning a round of enthusiastic applause from the guests.
Niamh, however, couldn’t quite understand what all the fuss was about.
“Prince William, no wonder you’ve turned down all those royal matchmaking events,” a friend of his teased, strolling over with a glass of champagne in hand. “Turns out you already have someone special in your heart!”
Before Niamh could say a word, Prince William jumped in. “Don’t get any ideas. She’s my idol–BYC, the master designer. Her real name is Niamh.”
His friend’s eyes widened in disbelief. Not everyone here knew Niamh by sight, but the name BYC was legendary.
“You’re kidding! You’re the genius behind the Grand Piano Collection? I always pictured BYC as some middle–aged man.”
For years, while her identity remained a mystery, Niamh had heard all kinds of wild guesses about who BYC might be. The most popular theory? A seasoned male designer on the verge of forty.
“So does that mean I’ll get to bid on a piece of your jewelry tonight?” Prince William’s friend grinned, already plotting his victory.
“Just so you know, Your Highness, I’m not letting you win without a fight,” he joked.
“As if I need a head start! There’s no way I’m letting anyone else have my idol’s work,” Prince William shot back, feigning indignation,
Niamh just smiled, amused by their banter.
At that moment, Peter sidled up to her and murmured, “Looks like competition for your pieces will be fierce tonight.”
Niamh caught a flicker of concern on Peter’s face. “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’re actually worried about whose work will fetch a higher price?”
Peter glanced at her, his smile full of secrets. “I’m not telling.”
Niamh could only shake her head in bewilderment.
As the evening wore on, she and Peter worked the room together, chatting and mingling. Then, amid the crowd, Niamh caught sight of someone she never expected to see.
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“Susy’s here?” she blurted out in surprise.
Peter followed her gaze and explained, “She wasn’t invited. Must’ve found a
backdoor in… Given the Fraser family’s troubles, I doubt she can afford to bid on anything tonight.”
Niamh kept her eyes on Susy, remembering how she used to carry herself at events like this–always the picture of a society darling. Susy had never radiated the effortless confidence and pride of someone like Ramona, but as the Fraser heiress, she’d always had a certain presence.
Now, she seemed like a shadow of her former self.
Susy wore a plain black evening dress, completely unadorned. Despite her makeup, she couldn’t hide how drawn and tired she looked. She drifted from group to group, forced smile plastered on her face, bowing and scraping like a lapdog desperate for approval.
Yet, even when guests returned her greetings out of politeness, most quickly found
an excuse to move away.
In the grand ballroom, Susy seemed utterly lost–frantic, awkward, and very much
alone.
Peter, noticing Niamh’s lingering concern, decided to fill her in on some gossip he’d picked up. “Susy’s probably hoping this charity gala will give her a chance to ask for a loan for Neovista Realty.”
Niamh’s eyes widened slightly. The Fraser family’s situation must be even worse than she’d realized.
“But honestly…” Peter shook his head. “Even if we’re not in Aldonia, news travels fast. Everyone knows Neovista Realty is on the verge of bankruptcy. Susy’s become a pariah–no one wants to get burned. And everyone in our circle knows it’s Jonathan who’s been squeezing the Fraser family dry. Anyone who helps them now would basically be declaring war on him. No one’s that naive.”
Niamh had to admit he made a lot of sense. Even Jonathan’s rivals had no reason to step in for Susy–there was nothing to gain, and it wouldn’t slow down the Thomas Group one bit.
Chapter
Chapter 432
