CHAPTER SIX - The Charade Continues

As he left, Ava couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Pride at his recognition of her hard work, certainly, but also a lingering sense of... something else. Something she wasn't quite ready to name. The day before the gala arrived in a flurry of last-minute preparations. Ava was at the venue from dawn, overseeing the setup and making sure every detail was perfect. "The flowers for table seven are the wrong shade," she said to one of the florists, her voice firm but kind. "Can we swap them out for something that matches the color scheme more closely?" As she moved from task to task, Ava felt a sense of satisfaction. Despite all the challenges - Sophia's interference, the long hours, the constant pressure - she had pulled it off. The venue looked stunning, the menu was perfect, and the guest list was a who's who of the business world. As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the city skyline visible from the venue's floor-to-ceiling windows, Ava allowed herself a moment