Chapter Thirteen - The Unexpected Guest

The night of the gala arrived in a whirlwind of activity. Amelia, dressed in a sleek black gown that she hoped struck the right balance between professional and elegant, found herself at the center of the storm. She directed staff, greeted guests, and smoothed over potential issues before they could become problems. As the evening wore on, she allowed herself a moment of pride. Despite the challenges and the lingering uncertainties, she had pulled this off. She had proven herself capable of handling the complexities of the De Laurentis world. "Impressive work," a voice said behind her. Amelia turned to find Alessandro, looking devastatingly handsome in a perfectly tailored tuxedo. "You've exceeded all expectations tonight." Amelia smiled, allowing herself to bask in the compliment. "Thank you," she said. "Though I'm sure you had it all under control even without me." Alessandro's laugh was low and warm. "You'd be surprised," he said, his eyes twinkling. "I've come to rely on you mo