Chapter 33

Claire's POV I forced myself to take a deep breath, reminding myself that Adrian probably wouldn't even notice me in this crowd. As long as I stayed cautious and kept close to Theo, I should be fine. The ballroom was massive, filled with hundreds of guests—surely I could blend in among them. "Is everything alright?" Theo asked quietly, noticing my sudden tension. "Fine," I managed, pasting on what I hoped was a convincing smile. "Just taking it all in." Nervously, I followed Theo toward our assigned table, hyperaware of every face in the crowd, scanning for any sign of Adrian. Theo must have sensed my unease because his hand tightened slightly on my waist, the gesture both protective and reassuring. Our table was positioned prominently near the stage, clearly reserved for major donors and VIPs. As we approached, I could see it was already occupied by several elegantly dressed couples, all of whom turned to greet Theo with the kind of deference reserved for someone of his stature. "Alph