Chapter 31

Ryan's POV WHERE IS SHE? That was the only thought racing through my mind as I walked into Dreamland Studio's gala. After overhearing my executives discussing Lazuli's invitation—an invitation I'd never received—I couldn't focus on anything else. I was supposed to be finalizing a critical deal with Thomas Industries tonight, a negotiation I'd been stubbornly holding my ground on for weeks. Yet the moment I heard those managers whispering about Lazuli's gala, everything else became secondary. "Dreamland Jewelry has been making waves recently. All the big players will be at tonight's event. Would be a shame to miss it," one of them had said. Another lowered his voice. "But things got messy between us and them. If Mr. Blackwood finds out we went..." "Who's gonna tell him? He didn't even get an invitation. No way he'd show up." They froze when they noticed me standing there, faces pale as sheets. I could practically see their careers flashing before their eyes. "Mr. Blackwood... we... we w