CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR – ANOTHER BORING PARTY

Truth be told, she'd had far more than her share of sycophants and social climbers stroking her ego ever since taking over Ethan's company. At first it had been easy to ignore and deflect. But lately, she found herself tiring of all the false niceties and shallow social politics. Perhaps she was finally hitting a saturation point, where all the cards, schmoozing, and faux friendship just felt so...empty. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but she found herself longing for more real human connection. The kind she used to share so effortlessly with Ethan. Her chest panged at the thought of her late husband and how natural everything had felt with him by her side, even in these hoity social circles. Those days were long gone, however. Painting on her fake smile, Madison accepted a glass of wine from a passing tray. "Oh, and I simply must introduce you to someone!" Carl said, far too much eagerness in his tone. "He's going to be huge, I just know it!" Before Madison could protest, Carl was