CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - The Weight of Deceit

As the night wore on, Ava found herself the center of attention. People sought her out, eager to talk about her background, her ideas, her impressive handling of both Victor and Sophia. She navigated the conversations with growing confidence, her natural intelligence and wit shining through. From across the room, Max watched as Ava charmed his friends and business associates. He felt a strange mix of emotions – pride in her accomplishments, admiration for her poise, and a twinge of something else he couldn't quite name. He'd known Ava was smart, of course, but seeing her like this, in her element, was something else entirely. As the party began to wind down, Max made his way over to Ava, who was saying goodbye to a group of investors. "Ready to call it a night?" he asked, surprising himself with the gentleness in his voice. Ava nodded, suddenly looking tired. "Yes, I think so. It's been... quite an evening." Max walked her to the door, helping her into her coat. As they stood in t