The last chapter has spoilers, so I'd like to share excerpts from the previous chapter.
I stood with my eyes trained on the crowd. The ceiling was still the most fascinating thing on the planet but of course, I took my time to enjoy the less appealing affairs. The banquet hall was a decent assemble of reputable men, women, and their very civilized children. Soft music played in one corner, a duet of a harp and a piano unheard of in my society. Waiters glided around with platters and drinks. A cool breeze carried with it the scent of flowers every now and then.
I looked around the hall. The room was flanked with two wide archways on either side that opened to scenic gardens. Near one such archway stood Lisa giggling with her friends. Her black, form-fitting dress went gorgeously with her blonde curls. Her deep grey eyes were crinkled with a pleasant smile. Several men stole glances at her as they passed by, and Lisa, as always, feigned ignorance.
Mother was busy making small talk. Father, of course, was nowhere to be seen. Frankly put, I knew I was supposed to sabotage the meeting between him and the conglomerate but didn’t exactly know how. By now, I’d have fled the scene to someplace quieter, but it didn’t end well last time, so I decided to stick close to the crowd instead.