561: A Confluence of Past and Present

The banquet hall was thick with anticipation as Emma navigated through the crowd, her brother Maxwell by her side. The subtle tension between them and Alex was palpable, yet none of the attendees dared to comment directly, respecting the delicate nature of their interactions. As they mingled, an old family friend approached them, his familiarity granting him more leeway than others might have. "Emma, it’s been quite some time since that tumultuous period of your marriage. I've always wondered how things turned out after all the stories that circulated." Emma, accustomed to addressing past rumors head-on, responded calmly, "Alex helped me out of a difficult situation recently and got hurt in the process. We’re simply ensuring his recovery. There's nothing more to it." The old friend nodded, seemingly satisfied with her explanation, but his next question caught both siblings off guard. "And how will you handle Bauer tonight? I heard he’s coming." Maxwell’s expression tightened, and