CHAPTER SIXTY SIX: BANQUET

The elegant ballroom of the Grand Hotel was abuzz with the mingling of business owners, investors, and influential figures. It was a night meant for networking, celebrating successes, and forging new partnerships. Sarah arrived, her presence commanding attention as she gracefully navigated the room, her confident demeanor reflecting the success of her growing design company. She was there for business, but a part of her couldn’t help but feel the weight of the past. It was at events like these where she had often accompanied Axel, her ex-husband. Tonight, however, she was here on her own terms, determined to focus on her work and the future. As she chatted with a potential client near the opulent buffet table, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure from the corner of her eye. Axel. He looked sharp in his tailored suit, but there was an air of nostalgia and regret about him as he moved through the crowd. Their eyes met briefly, and Sarah felt a momentary pang of old emotions before