CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND ONE – LOVE WINS AGAIN

As their sleek town car pulled up to the valet, Charlotte couldn't help but smooth her hands over the silken folds of her evening gown, a beautiful emerald confection that complemented the jade artifacts they had liberated from the ruins. Julian, ever the dashing rogue, cut an equally striking figure in his immaculately tailored tuxedo, his roguish grin firmly in place as he offered Charlotte his arm. "Shall we, darling?" he murmured, his voice a low, syrupy purr that never failed to set Charlotte's heart aflutter. "I daresay we've earned a night of indulgence after our latest escapades." Charlotte laughed, the musical sound carrying effortlessly over the hushed murmurs of the well-heeled crowd that lingered outside the restaurant's elegant facade. "Lead the way, my dear adventurer," she replied, allowing Julian to tuck her hand into the crook of his elbow as they made their way towards the entrance. From the moment they stepped through the heavy oak doors, it was clear that no ex