Lucian's response to Serena's directive was, without a shadow of a doubt, an affirmative one.

As far as Serena was concerned, with Lucian securely under control, the core problem was essentially solved.

Now, all that remained was to wait for the evening to u

Lucian?

Just hearing that name sent a dull, familiar ache rippling through Jade's bones. Lucian was the quintessential embodiment of the ultra-elite class. They sat high above the rest, looking down on the common folk with deep-seated arrogance and casual condescension,

Jade's words struck like a physical blow, crashing down heavily on Serena's mind.

She stood frozen in utter disbelief.

Lucian didn't come?

How was it possible that Lucian hadn't gone?!

*How could that possibly happen?*

This was something Lucian had explicitly p