Sweet Subterfuge

Chapter 121
The water soon found Larissa’s name and said, “Okay. Please follow me.”
Larissa stepped inside and was taken aback by the sight of the hall brimming with pink roses. The walls, ceiling, tables, and even the chandelier, were adorned with artful arrangements of pink roses. As a result, the warm yellow lights reflected a soft pink hue, enhancing the ambiance with a gentle and dreamy atmosphere.
While still in the hobby, she overheard the roses being flown in from abroad. There were about six large crates of it and it took a team of dozen people to meticulously decorate the venue. It was evident that Lucas had spared no expense or effort in organizing this banquet.
Lucas had reserved a small ballroom with approximately thirty tables. The quests’ names were placed on each chair to ensure everyone was in the right place. Larissa was seated at a table positioned in the center of the hall To her surprise, there was an empty seat opposite her, and as she looked closer, she noticed that the name written on the place card was none other than Kevan’s.
She stared at his name for a while, feeling a mix of emotions, After leaving his house that day, they hadn’t crossed paths again. She had heard from Dylan that Kevan had gone to Bartham the following day. He needed to take the lead on the merger and acquisition at the main company, so he wouldn’t be back for at least a month or two.
Larissa was happy for a few days after learning the news. Two months would amount to one-third of hall a year. Furthermore, with the realization that she had already completed half a month, the remaining time required to fulfill the contract had significantly reduced.

However, her happiness was short-lived as she suddenly began to feel down. She wasn’t sure if Lucas really invited Kevan or if he had some expectations and reserved a place for him, if Kevan did attend, she had to think of how she should lace him.
Larissa amived rather late: by then, the hall was nearly filled. Lucas wasn’t too old, so Larissa assumed his girlfriend would be around his ape. The majority of the attendees were young people, and they were all dressed in vibrant attire and had cheerful smiles as they engaged in lively conversations about the latest internet trends.
They all exuded vibrant energy, while Larissa felt left out of the lively atmosphere. She scanned the room but couldn’t find anyone she knew. Suddenly, she regretted coming.
In the end, she look her seat and played with her phone. She hoped the banquet could start soon so she could leave early.
At seven o’clock all the lights in the hall were dimmed, and there was a commotion amid the crowd.
“What’s going on?”
“Don’t tell me it’s a power outage?”
“Regal Dynasty Hotel is such a big hotel, I don’t think so…”
Just as the crowd began to pank, music suddenly started playing, and the lights focused on the hall’s front door. The crowd quieted
down as all eyes turned toward the entrance.